MORWELL local Harry Wright,who was found dead in his home last Thursday (January 30), will be remembered as a“gentle giant” who “loved life”, according to his daughters Karen Cassar and Kerry Wright.
Mr Wright’s death is under suspiciouscircumstances, after police found 42-year-old Moses Alith nearby, with Mr Wright’s belongings.
Speaking to the Express,MsCassarand Ms Wright explained the unfairness of the situation for this to happen to their elderly father.
“He’s91-years-old, he wouldn’t hurt afly. He wouldn’t even be able to protect himself. It’s just not fair,” Ms Cassar said.
“You should be able to sit in your own home and feel safe.”
Our hero Harry
Mr Wright's daughters believe he wouldhave offered everything in his house to the man who invaded his home.
“He would’vegivenhim everythingwhenhe opened that door,” Ms Wright said.
“He would have said ‘take anything you want’, if he had have given him the chance,” Ms Cassar added.
“I’m 66 (years-old), and Ihave never, ever seen my father lose his temper, my dad neverdid things like that.”
“He was agentle giant, loving,caring,” Ms Wright added.
When asked how they would want their father to be remembered, Ms Wright said: “our hero”.
“You only have to look around at the support we’re getting, our messages, dad was loved by all in the community,” Ms Cassar added.
“He loved life, that was the thing, my dad loved life.Heloved his children, he lovedhis grandchildren.”
He lovedlife so much so, thathewas set to be on acruise this week.
Ms Cassar recalled going with him to get his passport the other week. When he was asked if his passport should be for five or 10 years, he opted for10years.
“I said ‘dad, you won’t be travelling when you’re 101’, and he goes ‘you don’t know that!’”
Ms Cassar said he would have never seen himself as a91-year-old.
Mr Wrightwould sitoutside his home every day, watching the cars pass by. People on social media recalled seeing him on their walksonMaryvale Road.
According to his daughters, Mr Wright took time
to gettoknow all the neighbours and loved to walk his dogs twice aday.
“He had agroup of friends that all go to Mid Valley (Shopping Centre) every morning for acoffee, and he was just apart of that, they’re going to miss him down there too,” Ms Cassar said.
“Verycommunity (orientated), he did his lawn bowls and volunteer work at Morwell Bowling Club,” Ms Wright added, saying he would’ve been the first person to help someone.
In his younger days, beforeretirement,MrWright was The MorwellClubManager. After finishing up at The Morwell Club he volunteered at the Morwell Bowling Club for 25 years, where he “manned the door” twice aweek.
In shock: Harry Wright’sdaughters KerryWrightand Karen Cassar outside his home Photographs: Tom Hayesand 9News
Morwell hears from Ms America on nuclear
By LIAM DURKIN
COMMUNITY passion was evidentonSunday night, as locals congregated to hear from international nuclear experts in Morwell.
The Nuclear for Australia roadshow made itsway to the Latrobe Valley, with more than 200 people cramming into thefunction centreofthe Italian Australian Club.
The panel discussion was headlined by former Miss America and nuclear engineer Grace Stanke. Ms Stanke spokefor around half-an-hour, detailing her career and attempting to spellout some misconceptions surrounding apossible nuclear future for the Latrobe Valley.
Shewas followed by UBH Chief Nuclear Officer, Mark Schneider, speaking on the finer points of nuclearoperations,and University of Adelaide Adjunct Nuclear Law Lecturer, Kirsty Braybon on what would need to take place for nuclear to be given the green light at federal level.
Well-known local uniondelegate Mark Richards (ofthe Mining Energy Union) also spoke briefly.
The panel then took questions, although these were selected by the emcee through an online system.
Questions from the floor were not permitted.
Nationals MPsDarren Chesterand Danny
O'Brien were in attendance, as was Latrobe City Mayor, Dale Harriman and deputy mayor, Sharon Gibson.
Securitywas tight for the event, with tickets and bags checked upon arrival. Tickets were not available at the door.
Crowd behaviour wasfirstrate, and the selected few who did not entirely agree with what was being said quietlywalkedout. One man did however mutter afew unpleasantries on his way to the exit.
With Ms Stanke and Mr Schneider both hailing from the United States, their speeches focussed greatly on nuclear in their home country. As a result, it was understandable there were some who felt the Morwell event became little more than a Yankee talkfest.
Forthe majority however, most reportedfinding theevening informative and insightful.
Fullcoverageofthe seminar will feature in next week's Express.
Seeing is believing: It’s not everyday Miss America comes to Morwell. Nuclear engineer Grace Stanketook centrestage on Sunday night, talking to locals about apossible nuclear future forthe Valley Photograph: Liam Durkin
Hansford entersGippsland race,Broadbent decides to go again
By LIAM DURKIN
OFF and racing.
Two more candidateshave joined the battle to become the federal member for Gippslandand Monash respectively.
Monash incumbent Russell Broadbent has announced he will be recontesting as an independent, while prominent Latrobe Valley voice Greg Hansford is running on the One Nation ticket for Gippsland.
Mr Hansford faces the unenviable challenge of trying to defeat Nationals member Darren Chester, in what has been one of the safest Nationals seats in the country for more than 100 years.
While Mr Hansford acknowledgedthe challenge, he said he was up for it.
“One Nation is the best party to meet the needs of Gippsland.We’re pro-farmers, pro-HELEpower stations, and pro-business, and we’ll fight to ensure the region thrives,” he said.
“I’m committed to ensuring Gippsland remains agreat place to live and work. From our farms to
our towns, we need leadership that understands local challenges and prioritises real solutions over empty promises.”
Mr Hansford secured 9.46 per cent of the vote in the last federal election, and said he was confident in building on this momentumtodeliver real outcomes for the community.
The Gippslandhopefulsayshis campaign will focus on reducing cost-of-living pressures, supporting rural industries, and ensuring Gippsland’s voice is heard in Canberra.
Mr Hansford was present at the Nuclear for Australia talk in Morwell last Sunday, sporting aOne Nation t-shirt and cap.
On the back of the shirt read "we've got the guts to say what you're thinking".
MEMBER for Monash, Russell Broadbent announced on Monday that he will be recontesting the seat of Monash as an independent.
Despite some concerns surrounding his age, the 74-year-old said there was "unfinished business" for the electorate.
“Truth. Wisdom. Justice. Fairness and Freedom.
These are the values that I’ve stood by during my years as aparliamentarian,” he said.
“People acrossMonash havecalledonmetostand again, and that is exactly what Iintend to do.
“I have always focussedongetting what’s best for Monash. Iamanswerable to the people, and I’m driven by what is right, not what is politically expedient.
“We are facing unprecedented,uncertain and unexpected times, and heading into what Ibelieve is avery difficult political climate."
Mr Broadbent has said he won't be accepting any financial donations, because he "will not be beholden to any individual, interest group or party".
One of his opponents, independent Deb Leonard has takenadifferent approach,with the donations tab on her website stating "We believe that you should be able to see who is donating to election candidates in real time, so you can make adecision about whether they are influenced by outside sources."
Ms Leonard has been very transparentregardingdonations, with the amounts received publicly
Superload on theroad to LoyYang
A125-METRE-LONG load is making its way from Port Melbourne to Loy Yang Power Station, Traralgon over four nights.
The convoy started on Monday (February 3).
There will be significant disruptions to traffic along the route at times, particularly in metropolitan areas, where rolling closures will result in temporary detours and delays.
Motorists are asked to be patientwhen encounteringthe load in transit, and to follow the direction of traffic controllers escorting the load.
Victoria Police willbepresent during this complex operation to help ensure there is no obstruction to the safe transport of the load. There willbenodesignated viewing opportunities available, so the community is asked to stay well clear for their own safety when the load is in transit and when parked.
During the first leg of the journey, the load
departed the Port of Melbourne around 10pm andtravelled through Middle Park, St Kilda, Brighton, CaulfieldSouth, Ormond and Oakleigh South.
The journeyresumed yesterday (Tuesday, February 4). The load travelled along the Princes Highway through Springvale, Noble Park and Dandenong to reach the rest stop on the South Gippsland Freeway, Eumemmering.
On the third night (tonight) from 11pm, crews will escort the load via the Princes Hwy through Narre Warren and will enter the PrincesFreeway, to begin aslow journey towards Yarragon.
The finalleg of the journey will take place from 11pm tomorrow (Thursday, February 6), with the load departing Yarragon, leaving the Princes Freeway at Morwell to travel through Yinnar and Hazelwood, and reachingLoy Yang APower Station by 5am.
The load travels at speeds of up to 25km/h. When travelling over bridges or around corners, the load will slow to around 5km/h.
Due to its 6.5-metre width, this load will take up the entirewidth of some roads, howeverthere will be limited opportunities to pass under supervision of the specialist support crew.
Trafficmanagement officersand load escorts will accompany the load for the entire journey, making sure that roads are safe during and after the move. They will help to manoeuvre the vehicle safely around corners, temporarily removing signs and lights,placingsteel supports over existing drainage, and will then put everything back in placeoncethe load has passed through Real-timetrafficconditionsare available at traffic.transport.vic.gov.au
available.Understandably, alot of donationshave come from her family, but Climate 200 has also donated more than $200,000, Regional Voices $30,000, while an anonymous contributor chipped in $50,000.
Liberal candidate Mary Aldred now has time to dedicatefully to the campaigntrail, after stepping down as Head of Corporate Affairs at ANZ for Fujitsu Asia Pacific last week.
It is unclear yet whether the Nationals will put someone up, while sources close to the Express say acurrent Bass Labor Branch member might be joining the race.
Mr Broadbentlost his majority at the last election, something Ms Leonard made apoint of during her campaign launch last year.
Suchastatistic wasenough forher to declare "Monash the most winnable seats foran independent".
With Monash now takingintraditionalLabor territory in Moe, the margins could swing even more.
Challengeaccepted: It will likelytakea miracle,but Greg Hansfordhopes to win the federal seat of Gippsland running forOne Nation.
Photograph: Liam Durkin
Union members united in paper fight
By KATRINA BRANDON
EMPLOYEES of the Nippon Paper’sOpal Maryvale Mill continue to be locked out after two weeks as of Thursday, January 30.
Opalhas beenengaged in EnterpriseAgreement discussionswith more than 300 Maryvale Mill production team members and the CFMEU. The previous agreement expired in December 2024.
On January 16, seven operators halted work for six hours, forcing the company to close the doors for other production team workers with an hour’s notice.
Last Wednesday (January 29), the CFMEU and Australian Council of Trades Unions (ACTU) met withworkers at the Morwell Football-Netball Club rooms to discussfurther actions towards Opal’s locked-indecision to dock pay and to worsen working conditions.
“There are 300 workers, and some of their kids and families have come to abig meeting today to discuss the progress of thislockout,” the ACTU Secretary, Sally McManus said.
“Itisreally unusual for there to be lockouts in Australia. When it happens, it is devastating for the community, for allofthe workers, forall of the families, and local businesses. Coming out of it is that they are absolutelydetermined. They are determined not to let the company bully them becausethis is what it is -the absolute abuse of power deciding to lock out workers.”
According to Ms McManus, the lockout is unusual In most developedcountries, workers aretypically theones on strike, not the business. Upon meeting the workers,she said she found they are determined to stick to their original terms and are devastated that they are being kept out of work.
She told the Express,“Idon’t know why Nippon Paperthinks taking on asmall community like
this is agood idea. They are very strong. Ican see that. However, the Australian unionmembershave gotten their back as well. It’s not just 300 workers they are taking on. It is all of us.
“I think in the end that the company has got to sit downand negotiate and do so in arespectful way. This is about the workers showing that they are not going away and are there. It is also about the importance of people sticking together and supporting each other during this time.”
Ms McManus described the lockout as achance for the company to bully employees and that lockout lawsmustbelooked at to prevent companies from “abusing” their power
Shesaidthat if the action wasn't over in the next couple of weeks,the ACTUwould putthe issue on itsagendafor further supportatits meeting in afew weeks.
In concluding the meeting, Denise CampbellBurns, the Pulp and Paper Workers District Secretary, told the Express that members were determined and that Opal had not communicated further with her.
“Our members are resolute. They want afair deal from Opal and are not prepared to take apay cut to get any kind of deal. At the moment, we remain locked out,” she said.
“Nippon Paper and Opal need to come to the table with adeal that means that workers won’t be worse off across the course of the agreement.
“We know that the ACTU and the whole trade unionmovementhave the back of theseOpal workers. They will not allow them to be stood over to accept conditions and terms that are less than what they have now.
“People are angry at the company, but they are united and supporting each other. They are going to stick together.”
Keeping to rostered hours, the workers arecamped
out by the Maryvale oval until the ordeal ends. Ms Campbell-Burns said that during thistime, they wereexcluded fromtheir companybut more than included in the local community, with businesses dropping off food, giving discounts, and providing workers with all the support they could.
The Express reached out to Opal for further comments, which Opal reflected back to their original statement from January 16.
The statement reads; "We continue to negotiate in good faith with the CFMEU and our Production team members."
"We are focused on reaching an Enterprise Agreement with our team members and the union that is fair and allows us to supply our customers with quality paper in an extremely competitive and evolving market.
"Unfortunately, given the protected industrial action taken and upcoming notified action by the CFMEU, which includes planned rolling shutdowns of the Mill’s infrastructure, we cannot operate our paper production facilities."
Action: Pulp and PaperWorkers District Secretary, Denise Campbell-Burns speaks at the union meeting at Morwell Football-Netball Club
In droves: Unhappyworkers from the Maryvale Mill at lastweek’sunion meeting.
On the ground: Australian CouncilofTrades Unions Secretary,SallyMcManus in Morwell last week, standing firm with mill workersinthe background. Photographs: Katrina Brandon
The acronym says it all: Maryvale Secretaryof the Pulp and PaperSub-Branch, Anthony Pavey and Pulp and PaperWorkers District Secretary, DeniseCampbell-Burns aretrying to negotiatea deal to seeworkers getbacktowork.
Wood honoured after 35 years of service
By TOMHAYES
TRARALGON local and EricafirefighterJohn Wood has been recognised for 35 years of service with an Australian Fire Service Medal at this year’s Australia Day honours.
Mr Wood began his career in 1985, attending the SchoolofForestry in Creswick,which only grew his passion deeper.
“It was the idea of being out in the environment, working alongside great people and having the opportunity to learn new skills,” he told the Express
“The School of Forestry, in thoseearlyyears, had amajor focusonlogging… regenerationof the areas logged using fire as one of the tools was agreat learning place.”
Mr Wood works at DEECA(Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action) as an operations manager, working with incident management teams and incident control and operations.
“(I’ve) still got the passion at the moment. I thoroughly enjoy working for DEECA, it’s great to work for and work with,” he said.
Mr Wood has taken apassion for what he has learnt, as well as the sciences behind it.
“I’vebeen mentoredbysome reallyexcellent people over my career, and they had afairly big involvement in firefighting,sothey’ve passed that knowledge onto myself,” he said.
“I’ve just taken agreat interestinitand the science behind it as well,and then where Ican -pass on my knowledge to theyounger generation.”
Mr Wood is currentlyaccredited as aLevel 2 incident controller, Level2 operations officer and has led many taskforces and many incident management teams through some difficult and challenging deployments, withthe safety of firefighters his first and foremost priority.
He attended all major fires in Gippsland during his career and has proudly represented Victoriaon deploymentstoNew South Wales andQueensland
He toldthe Express that he finds pride in his work when he puts his knowledge and skills to the test.
“I think any fire where you can put your knowledge and your skills to the test, and you see an outcome (is important). I’ve been pretty proud of the work we’vedone interstate bothinQueensland and New South Wales,” Mr Wood said.
“It’s really warming and beneficial to know that you can help people with your knowledge and skills.”
Mr Wood has been adedicated trainer and assessorfor 20 years in operational Australian Inter-ServiceIncident Management System (AIIMS) roles, and he also provides significant time and resources to others providing coaching and mentoring in these roles.
He takes pride in giving histimetoassist with the development of staff capability in fire roles, building strong relationships with the local community and is well respected.
He has also built and maintains very important relationships with key membersofother emergency response organisations. These relationships serve himself and the community well, particularly when bushfires are local.
The 65-year-old, who turns 66 in March, spoke on what the Australian Fire Service Medal means to him.
“It’s an incredible honour. (I’m) absolutely committed to continuing to serve the department and the community,” Mr Wood said.
“It’s not areflection on my individual efforts; it’s ateameffort and all the collaboration of everybody else.
“It’s all about passing on and sharing the knowledge -that’s the way Ilook at it.”
Mr Wood wished to passonhis thanks to his family and lovedonesfor their sacrifices made, especially around summer time when Mr Wood is seasonably busy.
He also mentioned thatfor any young people wishing to getinto bush firefighting, that it’s a rewarding career working for DEECA.
“That’swhatit’s all about, sharing the knowledge, and enjoying the work you do,” he said.
New citizens welcomed into Latrobe
LATROBE City welcomed28new Australian citizens at aspecial citizenship ceremony at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre.
The event was held as part of Latrobe City’s Australia Day celebrations.
Having migrated from 11 different countries, including Ethiopia, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Samoa, Thailand, and the United Kingdom,the conferees were welcomed by LatrobeCity Mayor, Dale Harriman.
“The skills and cultural diversity of our new citizens, as well as their hard work and participationinour public life, will enrich our community,” the Mayor said.
“We wish our new citizens the best in thisnew stage in their lives.This is also an opportunity for us all to welcome our new citizens and reflect on our shared values, our national history, our heritage and how each one of us become more involved with our local communities.”
Australian citizenship ceremonies are an important part of the nation’s celebrations
The newest citizens have joined aspecial group of Australians who celebrated the anniversary of their citizenship each Australia Day.
More than six million people have chosen to become citizens since the first citizenship ceremony in Australia took place in 1949.
Well deserved: John Wood wasrecognised in this year’s Australia Dayhonoursfor his services to firefighting Photograph supplied
Once in alifetime bloom
By KATRINA BRANDON
MARKETS
HIDDEN away within the Gippsland hillsisan agave americana (century or half-century plant) that only blooms every 10 to 25 years.
expandedasthey have until their leaves were approximately two-and-a-half to three meters long. The plant appeared brilliantly all of the time, with beautiful green foliage and alovely yellow.
REH Cork Club Craft Market
Second
Now, the time has come for thisGippsland succulent to bloom for the first time in 25 years.
This plant is unique because it is amonocarpic succulent, meaning it only bloomsonce in its lifetime, and then dies.
According to Planet Desert, caprice translates to flowering or fruit. It said: "monocarpic plant flowers onlyonce, whichiswhy theseare also called death bloom succulent".
"Coincidentally, many from the cacti family are monocarpic. One of the characteristic features of thisvarietyisthatthe plant will die on its own after flowering. It is anatural process for the flowering succulent plant, and there is nothing aplant owner can do about it.
"These plants cannotsustain for long after sprouting flowers becausenoenergy is left in them Even if planted in the best soil and watered well, they have no nutrients left to survive further."
This particular plant,the agave americana,is native to certain parts of the USA and Mexico.
The blooming process takes three to four months and is intriguing to watch develop, according to the owner (who wished to remain anonymous).
“About 25 years ago, Igot two small ones (agave plants)fromafriend of mine,” the owner told the Express “I putthem in side by side; they grew. They
“Out of the blue, about four months ago, aspike appeared in one of the two, and that spike came out of the centre and grew about an inch to an inch-and-a-half per day, every day non stop. It was staggering. It kept going up and up and up.
“It’s now at its full height because it is about to die, about eight meters high. About three days ago, the foliage started, the branches cameout, but nothing on them. All of asudden, there were fist-sized clumps on the end. They expanded and fully grown.There are hundredsofvery little, spiky flowers.”
Initially, the century plant was named such because peoplethought it only bloomed once every 100 years, as no one had seenitbloom.Later,they discoveredthat the plant typically only lived for 10 to 30 years, giving it the name half-century plant.
The planthas sharp spines throughoutthe base of the succulent and then later on grows astem when it is readytobloom.Italsothrives in hot and dry conditions. Succulents are known to be hardy plants, and the half-century plant is no exception to this description.
While blooming, the agave americana produce ‘offsets’ or ‘pups’ as they bloom.
The Gippsland-located plant can reach up to eight metres tall and is at the tail end of its bloom cycle This is often when it attracts pollinators such as
Third Saturday of the month Next Market: Saturday,15February 8.30am –1.00pm
Inevitable: After25years, the half-centuryplant in theGippsland region is blooming forthe first and onlytimeasitwill dieafter blooming
bees, hummingbirds, and some species of bats. For more informationonthe agaveamericana or half-century plant, visit: gardenia.net/plant/ agave-americana-century-plant
Anglers able to reel in new fishing guide
VICTORIAN anglers can view the free 2025 Recreational Fishing Guide, available from hundreds of outlets including bait and tackle shops.
The guide can be easily stored in yourtinny or tacklebag and includesall the information fishers need to stay in line with size and bag limits to keep Victoria’s world-class fisheries in great shape for years to come.
Victorian FisheriesAuthority(VFA) Acting Chief Executive, Luke O’Sullivan said the VicFishing app and web-based versionofthe guidealsomeantfishers could have information in thepalm of their hand while out on the water.
“The 2025 guide includes changed fishing rules includingthe full protectionofMacquariePerch throughout Victoria,removal of the Murray Cod closed season from several waters, black bream
in the Gippsland Lakesand revisedlimits for sea urchins and cockles,” he said.
“These amendments already appeared in the smartphone app and web-based versions of the guide, which are updated more frequently throughout the year.
“Having the guide by your side means if you’re by ariver somewhere you can identify the fish you’ve caught, know what the size limits are and how many you can keep if they’re biting.
“It also includes informationabout recreational licences, staying safe when diving, rock fishing and boating and what types of gear you can use -all of which contribute to healthy, sustainable fisheries in the long run.
“The guides are fundedbythe reinvestment of recreational fishing licence fees and complement arange of other free tools including plastic rock
lobster and abalone measures, freshwater and saltwater fish length ruler stickers and more.”
Mr O’Sullivan saidthe freeVicFishingapp had been downloaded more than 100,000 times since being released in 2015, and is now available in the Karen language as well as English, Cantonese, and Vietnamese.
“Karen refugees are one of Victoria’s fastest growingculturalgroups and we know fishing holds agreat deal of importance to many Karen people,” he said.
“The 2025 Chinese and Vietnamese guides will be available very soon and, alongside the app, help us better connect with these passionate fishing communities.”
Printed copies of the guide are available free of chargeatmost bait andtackleshops,many tourist informationcentres,and someservice stations that sell fishing gear.
Oldtonew: New‘pups’created by theGippslandhalf-centuryplant.
Growth: Agaveamericana has sharpleavesanywhereuptothree meters long andcan piercethe skin. Photographs: Katrina Brandon
Youth drama stepping on stage
GIPPSLAND Youth DramaWorkshop (GYDW)
is set to begin its first production group for 2025, writing and rehearsing for aJune show, with young performers traveling from across the region to be involved in the original production.
After the hit performance of theoriginal comedy Alice in Down-Under-Land last December, the young performerswere presented with production awards in recognition of their dedication and enthusiasm for the performing arts.
The group is now setting themselves for anew production, and invites new memberstoget involved.
Director Phillip AMayer said “Drama builds resilience, self esteem and engagement, and participation gives young people essential life skills like resilience, which helps them cope with challenges.
"There is nothing but positives, andit’s aprivilege
being apartofinstilling an appreciation, and providingopportunities for the performing arts in our region. It’s aspecial program, apositive for the community and the kids love it”.
Established in 1993, the theatre program is unique in that every production is original and conceived by the participants.
GYDW has produced more than 100 original shows,involving over2200 regional performers Theworkshopsessions focusonbuilding performance skills, as well as confidence, team work, vocabulary, communication, responsibility and many other attributes transferable to life.
The main aim is to enhance theyoung performer’s natural talents, and provide apositive educational theatre experience in asupportive environment.
“Young performers build plot, characters, themes and humorous scenes which they find interesting
Backinaction: Gippsland Youth Drama Workshop arenow accepting applications Photograph supplied
Improving digitalskills
YOUNG people in regional and remoteareasscore lower in digital skills and wellbeingcompared to their urban based peers, according to The Telstra Foundation’s Youth Digital Index.
In response, TelstraFoundation is investing $1.5 million in an innovative three year partnership withPROJECT ROCKIT to offer schools across 33 regional communities free access to an impactful, youth-centred digital wellbeing program
The program includes in person student workshops as well as tools and resourcesfor schools, students and parents/carers.
From February 2025, schools located in the first round of targeted regional locations will receive an offer to participate in the free digital safety and wellbeing program.
"Our Index has shown that youth digital wellbeing is an area where thereismuchwork to do, especially in regional areas. Using these insights from young regional people, we’re taking action to empower themtohave healthy lives online," Telstra Foundation Chief Executive, Jackie Coats said.
“This programsupports young people in regional Australiatobeagents of positive change in their schools and communitiesand takesa“whole of community” approach by also upskilling parents,
carers and teachers to tackle their onlinesafety concerns regarding young people.
"We know that bullying, in all its forms, takes a devastating toll on the lives of youngpeople and those who care for them. Feelingunsafe as ayoung personhas profound and long-lasting effects, impacting mental, emotional, and physical well-being. At PROJECT ROCKIT we’re passionate about working with young people to create safety and agenuine, lasting change in schools and beyond."
Over the next three years, this new program will deliver in person digital citizenship workshops to 30,000 studentsinregionalcommunities across Australia, provide online digital citizenship resources to reach an additional 250,000 young people and will improvecommunitydigital citizenship literacy by engaging 900 parents and those in the community through online seminars.
As partoftheir ongoing partnership with PROJECTROCKIT, Telstra Foundation will subsidise this program so there is no costtothe schools selected to participate.
For more information aboutthe programand how to get involved, visit https://www.projectrockit com.au
and valuable in expressing their ideas. It’s agreat creative outlet," Mr Mayer said.
"We incorporate improvisations, theatre sports games, writer’s workshop sessions, the rehearsal process, stage craft, voice projectionand afinal production open to the public.
"All theparticipants are given good sized roles commensurate with their experience and ability, and they buzz with excitement at performing in front of alarge audience."
The group is enhanced by members of the awardwinning Here There and Everywhere Theatre Co.
“We have an amazing team helping to produce theatre with ourdedicated young peoplefromacross Latrobe," Mr Mayer added.
"Theatre is allaboutexpressing yourself and viewing the world in unique ways so you can try and make sense of it. It’s also alot of fun.
"Taking part is one of the best ways to develop
the imagination and support creative expression, especially for young people. Collaborating with peers, discussing big ideas and learning the skills of live performance can help prepare kids for realworld challenges. Our curriculum is designed and deliveredbyexperienced performers with apassion for making adifferenceinyoung people’s lives.”
The workshop’s new production start with rehearsals on Wednesday, February 12, and welcomes new young stars to join.
Running from5.15pm until 6.45pm, weekly rehearsals are conducted in Traralgon, and are open to young participants from upper-primary age through to 17 years-of-age.
Final applications for the new show close soon, with bookings essential as places are limited.
For further information, phone the directoron 0409 878 688.
Community Consultationdecommissioning
Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd (Esso), awholly owned subsidiary of ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd, is committed to operating and decommissioning its Gippsland and Bass Strait facilities safelyand effectively.After delivering energy to Australia for over 50 years, many of the Bass Strait oil and gas fields are now reaching the end of their productive life. As planning for decommissioning progresses, Esso is focused on safely shutting-down non-producing facilities and ensuring they stay safe throughout the entire decommissioning process.
Community Information Sessions
If you’d like to know more about plans for Decommissioning of platforms and pipelines in Bass Strait, the Esso Consultation Team will be hosting community information sessionsatthe following locations:
Monday 17 February 2025 -Yanakie Yanakie Hall
Millar Road, Yanakie
Tuesday 18 February 2025 -Foster Foster WarMemorial Arts Centre Main Street, Foster
Wednesday 19 February 2025 –Leongatha Leongatha Memorial Hall
6-8 McCartin St, Leongatha
Monday 24 February 2025 –Lakes Entrance
On the Wharf Café, Bullock Island Lakes Entrance
Tuesday 25 February 2025 –Yarram
The Yarram Country Club
322-340 Commercial Road, Yarram
Wednesday 26 February 2025 -Sale
The Criterion Hotel
90 Macalister Street, Sale
All the above sessions willrun from 5.00pm -7.00pm with apresentation aboutEsso’soperations with afocus on decommissioning projects.
We encourage you to come along and ask questions or to raise any concerns you may have. Please register your attendance by emailing: consultation@exxonmobil.com
If these dates and times don’t suit, contact us at consultation@exxonmobil.com or by phone on 03 9261 0000
The Esso Team will also be available to discuss all current activities, including:
• Bass Strait State Waters Environment Plan
• Bass Strait Operations Environment Plan
• Gippsland Basin Geophysical and Geotechnical Investigations Environment Plan
Jack-Up-Rig Plug &Abandonment Revision 1 Environment Plan
• Turrum Phase 3Drilling Environment Plan
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Police Beat
with TomHayes and Katrina Brandon
Bodyfound in Morwell
HOMICIDE squad detectives are investigatingthe circumstances surroundingthe deathof91-year-old Harry Wright in Morwell last Thursday (January 30) evening.
Police were called to an address on Maryvale Road about 9.20pm.
Officers allegethey enteredthe propertyand located the deceased resident,later known to be 91-year-old Morwell man, Mr Wright.
A42-year-old man, Moses Alith was located nearby and was taken into custody.
Latrobe CrimeInvestigationUnit detectives charged andremanded Alith with aggravated burglary. He appeared at the Latrobe Magistrates' Court on Monday, February 3.
Alith has not been charged in relation to Mr Wright’s death,asthe investigation remains open. The court was told that Alith was on bail at the time of his arrest.
DetectiveSenior Constable RhysMarriot gave evidence of asample that could be used to compare
DNA found on Mr Wright and his belongings that Alith was in possession of.
Alith will be forced to take abuccalswab to collect his DNA, following an approved request by prosecutors. Alith has been remanded until July 25, 2025. Investigators will await the results of apostmortem, while the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or visit: crimestoppersvic.com.au
Cemeteryburglary
DETECTIVES from Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit are currently investigating aburglary at the Hazelwood Cemetery.
BetweenJanuary 3and 6, 2025, unknownoffenders forced entryinto the maintenance shed and stole ayellow Club Cadet ride on lawn mower, asolar panel inverter, power tools, and aKings car fridge. Investigatorshave releasedimagesofsome of the stolen property, which can be found on the Eye Watch Latrobe Facebook page.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Latrobe Crime InvestigationUnit on 5131 5000, or CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit an online report at: crimestoppersvic.com.au
matter,contact First ConstableVisser at Traralgon Police on 5172 2700, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Soaring temperatureshit the Valleyoverthree days
By KATRINABRANDON
RECENT hot weather has created summer storms, sparking firesaroundthe Latrobe Valley area.
The Valley swelteredthroughthree consecutive days touching 40 degrees from last Sunday (January 2) to yesterday (January 4).
The previous week, (starting Monday, January 27), temperatures were also up in the high 30s, sprouting adry lightning storm that created multiple bushfires.
The first was at YallournHeights, where authorities soon issued aStayInformed alert Two other bushfires along the Driffield stretch hadbeen ignited shortly after the storm moved south. Also, aroundthe Driffield bushfires, a minor fire was put out.
On Tuesday, January 28, temperatures dropped
to 24 degrees, but fire warningsremained. A fire was recorded at Upper Middle Creek Road, Yinnar, as anon-structural fire at 5pm. Around 8.18pm, Vic Emergency changed the alert to Stay Informed.
Ahoaxcallwas sent out at 5.14pm on Wednesday, January29, when achild called Triple Zero (000), saying there was afire and swearing at the call taker. The child caller reportedly used apay phone.
Agrass andscrub fire (treated as suspicious) burned on Derham's Lane, Maryvale around 7.28pm on Tuesday.
Apower pole at Tyers on Fitzgibbons Rd caught fire around 1am on Thursday, January 30, leaving some Traralgon and surrounding areas without power.
Policetape outside thepropertyon Maryvale Road last Friday, followingthe death of Morwell man, HarryWright.
Hazardous leak
YALLOURNPower Station experienced an ammonia leak on Saturday, February 1. Emergency services arrived to the scene around 3pm and the public were urged to avoid the area. Hazmat's were reportedly dispatched.
Using experiences to helppeoplewith road trauma
By JESSICA*
Warning: the following storydeals with road trauma. Reader discretion is advised.
AT age 24, Iwas living afull lifeasa primary school teacheratLumen ChristiPrimary School, enjoying netball playing for Traralgon Tyers United, and a busy social schedule.
But on April 8, 2011, everything changed. While driving home from teaching Iwas on a rural road to Traralgon that had aspeed limit of 100km/h, Imomentarilyzonedout and crashed head-on into an oncoming truck. Idon’tremember much, but Iwas rushed to The Alfred Hospital by helicopter,asmyinjuries were so severe Icouldn’t be treated at Latrobe Regional Hospital.
The majority of deaths in regional areas occurred on roads with 100km/hr-plus speed limits. Of the deaths on regional roads, 50 per cent lost theirlives in single vehicle crashes, 21 per cent in head on crashes and 17 per cent at intersections.
Isurvived, but was in acoma for three months and when Iwoke up Icouldn’t walk, talk, or care for myself.
The doctors told me Iwas one of the few who survived suchacrash,and thatmostpeople in my condition don't make it home.
Ispent the next eight months in rehabilitation, relearning even the most basic skills. But the road to recovery has been filled with chronic pain and emotionalstruggles. The life Ionce had -full of joy
andambition -isgone. Inow live with limitations and daily pain, and the hardest part has been comingtoterms with the personI usedtobecompared to the person Isee in the mirror now. WhatI’ve learnedisthat road trauma has aripple effect, far beyond the crash itself
It affects families, relationships, and communities. It’s not just the physical scars, but the emotional toll that lasts.
That’s why I’m now part of aroadsafety education team, hoping my experience can prevent others from suffering like Idid Iurgeeveryone to drive carefully. One moment of inattention can change your life and the lives of others forever.
If you or someone you knowhas been affected by road trauma, consider volunteering at aroad safety seminar. It could save alife.
If you or someone you love has been affected by road trauma and you want to be an agent of change, reach out to Amber Community today. Amber Community also offers counselling services for those impacted by road trauma, and are also available to run educational seminars for your workplace, sporting club, or organisation.
For more information on howyou canget involved or to book aTraralgon seminar, visit: ambercommunity.org.au/about-us/
*Surname withheld for privacy.
Scene:
Process: Forensic services undertake their investigation. Photographs: Katrina Brandon
One afterthe other: Strong clouds formed in the Latrobe ValleyonMonday, January27 following days of hot weather Photograph supplied
Domino effect: On Monday, January27, the hot weatherbrought on aheavy summer storm with lots of drylighting,hitting spots withinthe Latrobe Valleyarea. Photograph: Ross Bradley
Preparing for auction
By PHILIP HOPKINS
OFFSHORE wind farm developers aimingto establish projects in Gippsland have begun early survey works as they prepare for ascheduled auction, The Australian newspaper has reported.
The Star of the South offshore wind project, Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project, had been undertaking early stage works such as undersea surveys for some time, The Australian said last week. The projectisbacked by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and CBUS.
The Australian believes that Corio, owned by Macquarie, Parkwinds, and the AGL Energybacked Gippsland Skies project, have all recently begun new stages of work.
“Each project will need to ascertain the feasibility of their projects before bidding in the state auction scheduled for this year,” the newspaper reported.
“Such auctions set the minimum and maximum return adeveloper would receive once generation electricity. Projects typically are only viable once they have secured an agreement.”
Under the scheme, if the wholesale electricity price falls below an agreed threshold, taxpayers will compensatethe renewable energy project.
“Should the wholesale electricityprice exceed ametric, developerspay the government,”said The Australian.
The scheme design eliminates revenue risk for developers.
If the auctionisdelayed,The Australian said this couldallow more time for prospective developers to prepare for bidding, which couldincrease competition and reduce risks for taxpayers. The first auction is for two gigawatts (2GW) or 2000 megawatts.
The government in 2022 set atargetofgenerating about 20 per cent of its energyneeds from offshore
wind within adecade. The target doubles to 4GW by 2025 and 9GW by 2040. By 2050, Victoria believes there is capacity for 13GW of offshore wind.
AS well, the state government last year gazetted apolicy to fast-trackplanning approvals for solar, wind farm,battery storageand transmission line proposals.
“New rules leave it up to the minister to notify potential objectors,” The Australian said.
The government claims in the document they will “help to unlock the current $90 billion worth of investment value in renewable projects that are in the pipeline” and create about 15,000 jobs.
The moves come as talks are set to resume between the state government and landowners potentially affected by the big transmission lines planned to take electricity from the offshore wind farms to connect to the grid in the Latrobe Valley.
VicGrid, which is responsible for planning the transmission routes, has refined the study area for thetransmissioninfrastructure needed. The study area starts about six kilometres from the coast at Giffard and extends north-west past Stradbroke West to Willung, across to Flynns Creek to the Loy Yang power station.
The Victorian Farmers Federation, in areport releasedbefore Christmas,saidstrategically important agricultural land in Centraland southern Gippsland should be safeguarded from transmission lines and renewableenergy projects as the energy transition unfolds.
The VFF issueda‘redlight warning’ overthe potential impacts on dairy, horticulture, beef and soilingeneralinGippsland, in its submission into the inquiry into guidelines for the Victorian Transmission Plan. It identified ‘red areas’ where renewable energy and transmission should be avoided. Renewables: Wind farmstargeted forGippslandhaveentered
More attention needed: Chester
FEDERAL Memberfor Gippsland, Darren Chester says the increasing crime rate across the regionis underminingcommunitysafetyand requires more attention across all levels of government.
Mr Chester has welcomedthe commitment from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to provide $7.5 million in additional funding to Crime Stoppers if theCoalition wins the next federal election.
“The Crime Statistics Agency’s data illustrates atroubling trend that corresponds with rising safety concerns, showing an increase in criminal incidentsacrossall Gippsland local government areas (LGAs) for the year ending September 2024,” Mr Chester said.
“Criminal incidents rose by 7.4 per cent in Latrobe, 11.7 per cent in per cent in the Wellington incident rate for Latrobe the per population across Victoria’s “CrimeStoppersisa efforts of ourcommunities ment agencies to disrupt
government will provide $7.5 million over three years in additional funding,a commitment which willenable CrimeStoppers to expand itsoperations and protect moreGippslanders from thedevastating impact of crime.”
In 2023, almost 4000 arrests and 10,000 charges were laid nationally because of information providedbythe community throughCrimeStoppers.
Mr Chester said the Coalition’s funding commitment to Crime Stoppers would help keep Gippslanders safer.
“Crime Stoppers is one of Australia’s most respected crime-fighting organisations. It provides asafe, anonymous and independentway to report crime, empowering communities help
ONEPOINTERS
Aidos
1. What is the deepest known part of the ocean?
2. What’sthe name of the iconic dance that starts with a“jump to the left” in The Rocky Horror Picture Show?
3. Which scale are earthquakes measured on?
4. On what television show did both Ryan Gosling and Christina Aguliera get their start?
TWOPOINTERS
5. What is the name of the world’slongest river?
6. What are the last names of the warring families in Romeo and Juliet?
7. What is the smallest unit of memoryincomputers?
8. What does “HTTP” stand for?
THREE POINTER
9. What element are human beings predominantly composed of?
10. Who in historyisthought to be the primaryreal-life template for Dracula?
11. What is the name of the ship that rescued Titanic passengers hours after the “unsinkable” ship went down?
12. What is the stage name of Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta?
FOUR POINTER
13. What was the first feature-length animated movie ever released?
14. What kind of blood is Carrie covered in after being crowned prom queen in the movie Carrie?
FIVE POINTER
15. What are the first names of all five members of the Backstreet Boys? 1point for each correct answer
Howdid youfare?
37: Topofthe class; 30-36: Outstanding; 22-29: Well done; 15-21: Solid effort; 9-14: Room for improvement; 0-8: Hit the books.
Target Time No. 0249
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’.
page43 Solution page43
L LIIKETHAT KE
Cars from days gone by aresexy, stylish and sophisticated
JamesBondimpressedhis lovers with them,movie starsflaunt their styleinthem, andboth men and women want them
When the engine begins to rumblevivid imagesof younger days feeling likeyou ownthe road flash intomind. These cars ignite apassion to experiencealong past eraofclass, powerand attention grabbing design.
This is whyShownShine CarShows areso popular theygiveusachancetoreminisce, appreciate and revelinthe sheer extravaganceof it all. Showing our children just howcool we were and allowing them to experiencewhata ‘realcar’is like.
Swap meets on the other hand arewhereyou find the parts no longer available, discovertreasures andjoininthe ‘shop talk’ with other passionate enthusiasts.
Either waythese days arefun forthe wholefamily and shouldbemarked in your calendar as nottobe missed
Commencing the 16th of February2025 at the
● Gippy Bingo Held at Italian Australian Club, 499-501 Princes Dr, Morwell
Fundraising a ‘snippet’ for
By AIDANKNIGHT
IN an example of remembrance and advocacy, Traralgon residentKatie Bazzinotti has raised an impressive $30,230 for Lifeline Australia,in the name of mental health support and suicide prevention.
On January 11, Bazzinotti shaved her head in honour of her late brother Thomas, whom she lost to amental health battle five years beforehand. Katie’s fundraising campaign was created via Lifeline’s ‘BeYourself’movement, an operation within the organisation that allowsindividuals to launchtheir own personalised appeal to raise money for the same cause-mental health support andsuicide prevention
Katie’s initial goal was only $2000, and she was overjoyed to see the many people push past that
target in solidaritywith the cause,thanks to social media and word of mouth promoting the cause.
“My brother also shaved his head before taking his own life and it was acathartic experience to do the same,” Katie said.
“I chose to shave my head to raise funds as my hairhas oftenbeen aformofself-expression, having adorned many differentcolours and styles over the years -but never shaved before.”
Kate’s husband Jake also shaved his own head, apledge he made as the donations got close to the proposed target.
Mental health challenges are abig concernin the LatrobeValley. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2021 Censusdata, 12.2 per cent of Latrobe Valley residents reported having amental health condition, such as depression or
anxiety, which is higher than the Victorian state average of 8.8 per cent.
Further, areport by the Gippsland Primary Health Networkindicates that 37 per centofadults across Gippsland have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression at some point, compared to 32 per cent across Victoria. These statistics underscore the importance of mental health initiatives and support services in the region.
For Katie, the journey of reaching, and then surpassing this goal was deeply emotional, which she uses as amotivatortocontinue to advocate and promote mental health awareness and services.
“A lot of memories -bothgood and bad -have passedthrough my mind, but the overwhelming supporthas made it worthwhile,”she said.
“I’vebecomevery aware of my own mental health
and regularly check in with family and friends.
“It’s so important to keep the conversation going. Always check in with people, be open to hearing hard things,and be helpfulinfindingresources.” By sharing her story, Katie strives to inspire other people to do the same, and also to implore others to seek help if needed. The money raised will support Lifeline’s 24/7 crisis hotline, community education programs, and initiatives aimed at reducing suicide rates across Australia.
Donations to Katie’s campaign closed on January 25, but anybody can begin their own campaign at: fundraise.lifeline.org.au/be-yourself-be-the-answer For anyone in crisis, Lifeline is available 24/7 at 13 11 14, or via text at 0477 13 11 14.
Shaverand shavee: Katie and stepdad Shane Warfe.
Before: KatieBazzinotti pre-shave,ecstatic about the amount raised forLifeline in her brother’s memory. Photographs supplied
Touching: Katie’s mumMichelle Smith wasproud to watch her daughter and Katie’s husband Jake sacrifice their locksfor agoodcause
Freezingoffuel prices welcomed
WELL done Jacinta Allan for locking in fuel prices across Victoria and for making it compulsory for retailers to provide data on pricesinreal time (Latrobe Valley Express, 29/01/2025, Page 1).
The freeze on prices for 24 hours will remove some of the frustration felt by drivers when they arrive at apreferred station on empty,only to find that the lowprices of the morning have suddenly skyrocketed, including at every nearby station. The Labor government at state and federal levels deservecongratulations for their many cost-ofliving reduction initiatives.
Karen Drake Morwell
Wide ball
THERE was afew oversights in Liam Durkin's piece regarding the Sri Lankan cricket match played in Morwell in 1985 ('Sri Lanka's tour that landed in Morwell', LVE, 29/01/25).
The side that played that day was arecognised Victorian Country side,not aGippsland side. Those looking at the team photo will notice the players had agreen badgeontheir shirts that are Victorian Country Cricket League badges.
Mr Durkinmentionedacouple of localsthat played that day, but failed to mention all the locals who participated in the game. Central Gippsland Cricket Association (now Cricket Latrobe Valley) legend, Ron Marslen, was team manager, CGCA life member Geoff McDonald scorer, CLV Hall of Fame member and Toongabbie legend Tom Anton and CLV Hall of Fame member, Larry Scammell.
Anonymous
Financial difficulty
SOME people, most of whom have an affinity to fossil fuels,suchasthe Minerals Council of Australia, have been trying to label Australia’s transition to renewable energy as amess and unplanned. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Australian Energy Market Operator, (AEMO) produce an Integrated System Plan (ISP), which gets updated every two years detailinghow the transition will roll out to attain Net Zero Emissions by 2050. Their latest ISP, released last June,will cost $122 billion out till 2050, of which $16 billion will be for upgrading 10,000km of transmission lines (not the 100,000km that Peter Dutton and the Nationals keep spouting), which “whenconnected to the grid will reduce costs for consumers by delivering benefits that would recoup their $16 billion investment costs, save consumers afurther $18.5 billion in avoided costs, and deliver emissions reductions valued at $3.3 billion.” (Citing the ISP report).
Incidentally, that stated cost of $16 billion is about the same as what the nuclear experts are saying willbethe cost of the first nuclearpower stationinAustralia.
With apossible 82 per cent renewable electricity in the grid by 2030, withthe cost of windand solar per MW, decreasing in price year on year,itiseasy to see why renewables are powering ahead, not only in Australia, but also in every other nation including the USA, where there is currently no construction of any grid-scale nuclear power station anywhere.
The other fact to note is that renewablesare being funded by private investment.
Some projects in the past did get about 30 per cent in loans from the Clean EnergyFinance Corporation, but these wind and solar farms are now repaying theseloans backatcommercial interest rates to the federal government improving the budget bottom line by more than $1 billion ayear.
If the LNP win the election, it will be entirely taxpayerswho fundthe rollout of nuclear power stations, as private enterprise cannot see how they could ever be profitable.
Icertainly don’t want my taxpayer dollars going to build the most costly form of electricity system that will do nothing to reduce carbon emissions for another 25 years, and will delay the delivery of a completelycarbon-free electricitygridbydecades.
Itrust most taxpayers would feel the same way.
Dan Caffrey Traralgon
Not the time or place
IWAS one of the honoured nominees at the Latrobe City 2025 awards celebration held at theGippsland Performing Arts Centre on Australia Day. It was agreat honour to be nominatedand I heartily congratulate all nomineesand particularly those chosen as winners in each category. The proceedingswere managedinexcellent fashion and for me as amusician, ahighlight was the wonderful music provided by avery accomplished local singer/musician.
However,Iwas disturbed by an aspectofthe address given by Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester when he chose to highlight the fact that there are those in the community who do not favour January 26 as the date for Australia Day. Mr Chesterspokeofhis pride in multicultural Australia and his growingupwith Indigenous
Well received: Premier JacintaAllan has locked in fuel prices acrossVictoria. File photograph
friends in the Sale district, and his respect of the 60,000 years of Indigenous culture before the European invasion.
He omittedtomentionthe welldocumented details of taking of the native land, the massacres (several of which were in our area), the genocide, the herding of the Indigenous into missions such as Lake Tyers, the stolen generation, and the very high incarceration rates among Indigenous youth still happening now.
Is it any wonder that First Nation People wish for Australia Day to be on any other datethan January 26?
It is of course ayearly reminder of all the above atrocities.
Irespect Mr Chester’s right to have his opinion, which was published in detail in this newspaper ('Keep Australia Day date as is', LVE 22/01/25) and Irespect his right to express the view of his well-known conservative electorate.
However, Idonot think Latrobe's quiteamazing, warm, happy, peaceful and unified occasion was thetime and place to espouse such views.
Ron Wall
Morwell
Self-destructing dominion
THE Trump Administration will promote the use of every source of energy -oil,gas, coal, nuclear, wind, solar -everything altogether all at once.
As does China. As does India. As does Russia. As does Indonesia. As does South Korea and indeed all successful economies around the world.
Thus, all successful countries in the world are embracing abalanced mix of energy sources.
All except the Hermit Kingdom of Australia.
We are the sole exception.
The extreme follyofthe Albanese government bankrupting our economy to pursue the suicidal fantasychimera of net-zero is the greatest act of self-destruction in our nation's history.
Joseph Lis
Morwell
We need you
IHAVE been trying for more than two years to make aMoe Agricultural Society Show happen. Ihave donealot of work, alot on my own,but due to health reasons Ican no longercontinue to do so.
To makethe showhappen we need acommittee.
We urgently need people to take on executive positions of president, vice president, secretary, as well as committee members.
This is my last chance to make thishappen, and if these positions are not filled then the show will not be able to takeplace. Thereisnoagricultural show in the region as Traralgon folded afew years ago.
Please get on board and make this happen.
We have atentative venue available and date, butfirst we need acommittee.
If youare interested, phone0494323 256, or email info.moeshow@gmail.com
Garry Mitchell
Moe Agricultural Society Inc Secretary
Cherrypickedexperts
FOR awhile themost amusing revelation last week was that Joseph Lis describes himself on social media as an “environmentalist”.
That was until his strong implication, and not an original thought among climate change denialists, eg Sky News presenters, that climate change believers, who "embrace the gods of climate alarmism", (that would be scientists), and "genuflect at the altarofthisnew quasireligion", (that would be scientific data, much of which has been around for decades}, form acult. ('BornagainBowen', LVE Opinion, 29/01/25).
Iactually appreciated your analogous quote last week Joseph, even if mischievously misdirected, that"trying to change the mind of adeeply religious person", (ieclimatechange believers), is like "administering medicine to the dead".
Right back at you Joseph!
Thereality that thevast majority of the world sees and realises the daily climate crisis,about whichupdatedinformation is readily available, apparentlydoes nothing to shake the confident ignoranceofMrLis and his extrememinority cohort/cult.
For nothing will shake azealot's intransigent view of the world, which is so resistant to change.
However, Iactually believe that many do secretly acknowledgeclimate change, such as conservative politicians, but paying the price is anathema to economic rationalists.And who is the idiotwho initiallydecided ascientific concept should be a political tool?
This year Ihave consulted anumberofexpertsin their fields, including my GP, mechanic, financial advisor and plumber. If any or all of these advised me that my health, vehicle, finances or plumbing are in danger of being stuffed, written off, cactus or knackered,unlessimmediate remedial action ensues, theywould have my immediate attention. Mr Lis however would probably be less likely to respond, whilst obviously having little faith in "experts" who do not align with his agenda or his own "quasi religion".
So no Mr Lis, the accusation of "virtue signalling and moral righteousness", in this case, belongs entirely to those who, likeTrump, are prepared to tradescientificreality forblind acceptanceof their own "cult". At whatever cost to the planet.
And of course, none of this will elicit any response from Mr Lis. He has not responded to previous criticism, concerning, for example, infantile name calling, analogies with mass murderers and false accusations of "hypocrisy and outrageous delusion", so why should this be any different?
John Duck Trafalgar
Join the whingers
AS amember of the silent majority, I’ve obviously been missing out all these yearswith protests, graffiti slogans, signs, banners (and letters to the editor) daily bombarding us to think and/or act in adifferent way.
It’s time for me to join the vocal minority and become amemberofthe new minority political party, 'The Whingers Party'.
Justrecently therewas more than500,000 potential members on the streets throughout Australia whinging about one thing or another.
Forget about the silent majority, they don’t care whatpeopleare whingingaboutand it doesn’t really matter to any of us.
But just imagine the political clout we could generate if everyoneunitedand identified themselves as Whingers.
No other political party wouldhave this much free media coverage, 24/7.
Wouldn’t you be proud to be identified as a member?
Whingers unite!
(I wonder what the membership fees are?)
Possibly my first whinge.
Colin Wootton
Moe
Blurredvision
COMMON sense has gone out the window with renewables.
The letterbyDamian Andrews ('Renewable is notsustainable', LVE Opinion, 29/01/25) has so many good points.
Hazelwood closed and electricity costs went up, which proves brown coal is cheap.
Carbon is not the enemy, but the foundation of life.
Labor and the Greens have cost us dearly with renewables that will not suffice.
The information about Petra Nova also Porsche and Siemens was interesting, and showed energy emits 85 per cent less carbon. Australia is too far behind the times.
Aquestion Ipose is: 'Whatfuture do you chose to live in?' My answer is definitely not Labor,Greens or Teals. They are holding this country back from progressing. Their system of renewables will force my home into 1984 Orwellian style. The emperor definitely has no clothes.
In response to John Duck ('Confusing prose', LVE Opinion 29/01/25), my referencetoAlzheimer's was directed at Daniel Andrews as he constantly quoted “I cannot recall”. No offence to those who suffer from this conflict
To Andrew Cosgriff ('Solar success soaring under the radar, Comment, 29/01/25),political parties agree on zeroemissions,but thenation did not agree to cut coal, and if renewables are so good, why are coal-fired stations still in use?
That is because renewables are not sufficient and like the Star of the South, it is not operable, and nothing is asuccess until it is proven without backup.
If Mr Cosgriff welcomes adebate, please organise it. Patricia Correa Traralgon
Besieged billing
THISisaplea to federal healthminister, Mark Butler regarding Medicare and bulk billing. Without extra funding, will this be the end of bulk billing, as now doctors have to stop bulk billing due to rising costs?
Australian families will suffer and hospitals will be overrun as they cannot meet their medical expenses.
Mr Butler, don't let this happen. Increase funding for Medicare and bulk billing.
NF Nanos Traralgon
It's right there
ALBERT Einstein said, “Two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity".
If we want to save the planet, and Ido, it’s time to stop proving Einstein right.
Thereisthe equivalentof138 Yallourn WStation coal fired power plants under constructionglobally right now.
There is currently the equivalent of 951 Yallourn Wstations operating globally right now. Thus an equivalent of 1089 Yallourn Wstations will operate. What real climateimpact do you think closing our Yallourn WStation is going to make?
The new coal plantsare being builtbecause they are cheap to buildand run. Despite having an abundance of cheap energy, the Australian people suffer under an escalating cost-of-living crisis forced upon them by astupidpush for more wind, solar and batteries.
America’scurrentelectricity generation capacity is 1.25TW, 60 per cent from fossils, 19 per cent nuclear and 21 per cent ‘renewable’, which includes only 73,000 wind turbines.
At January’s World Economic Forum, Donald Trump pledged to double America’s electricity generation capacity to meet their growing demand That’s the equivalent of 1.19 million new wind turbines.
Meeting electricity demand from ‘renewables’ is apractical impossibility. And there’s the massive environmental damage from the needed quadrupling of mining, refining and manufacturing (10x for lithium).
Optimistically, Trump pledged no fuel source restriction for electricity generation and spoke about the virtues of using good clean coal. All life is carbon based. Carbon has four valence electrons; it bonds easily withalmostanything. We already cleanly use carbon extensively, and nearly all the carbon can be extractedfrom coal fuelled power emissions and carbon can be used to make an eFuel for cars that significantly reduce emissions. Wanttoreducethe cost of livingand save the planet?
Nature’s solution is staring right at you. Is it stupid to follow nature’s example? Carbon is therenewable future. Good,clean, cheap electricity from coal.
It’s time for Australia to stop proving Einstein rightand change to smart electricity generation before we wipe ourselves out.
Damian Andrews
Moe
Have your say
L t b V ll E l
THE Latrobe Valley Express welcomes letters to the editor.
Preference will be given to brief, concise letters which address local issues.
The editorLiam Durkin, reserves the righttoedit lettersfor reasonsofspace and clarity, and may refuse to publishany letter without explanation.
The Express does not publish letters from anonymous contributors.
Letters must include aphone number, email addressand the author’s hometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity. Readers are entitled to one right of reply to aletter directed at them. The views expressed in letterstothe editor are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflectthe views of Latrobe Valley Express management or staff. The letters section is designed to allow people to havetheir say,and not be hijacked for political agendas.
Letters involving religion willnot be published.
Email letters to news@lvexpress.com. au and include ‘letter to the editor’ in the subject line.
Deadline for letters is Thursday 3pm.
Nuclear not fit for the Latrobe Valley
COMMENT
BY ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA
AN industry funded pro-nuke talkfest took place in Morwell last Sunday (February2), fronted by former Miss America Grace Stanke.
This amountedtolittle more than asmokescreen for the Coalition's anti-renewable agenda.
Greg Dyer, alocal engineer with more than 40 year'sexperiencesays thatthe nuclear push makes zero sense in Gippsland, which sits on aseismicity active faultline, noting that GeoScience Australia have stated that we can expect aMagnitude 7 earthquake sometime this century in Australiamost likely close to aseismically active fault line like Central Gippsland.
"Gippslandiswell knowninengineering for being seismically active, and geological maps show numerous fault lines throughout the region with a major fault along the edge of the Strzelecki Ranges just five kilometres from Loy Yang power station and the station itself sits on anotherlesser fault line," he said.
“Theone question everyone needstoask in relation to the LNP nuclear concept is how much their promised 'massive savings for families and businesses' will be, and when will we get them?
“Nuclear will only ever deliver under 10 per cent of ourpeak demand of all electricity and couldn't possibly be built before 2045. It's too little too late to help with today's cost of living issues.
“I am also concerned about the impacts on both local business and property prices in the region if offshore wind gets knocked over and we end up living next to anuclear power plant.
“Why is Darren Chester risking thousands of jobs in theGippslandregion thatare already in the pipeline for the $40billionofoffshorewind projects the Wellington Shire has applicationsfor?"
Hayley Sestokas, Senior LatrobeValleyOrganiser for Environment Victoria, said the conference was really just aPRexercise for the pro-nuclear lobby, and wasn’t grounded in the realities of those living in the region, noting that even the non-partisan Land Mine Authority have spoken out against the notion of Loy Yang housing anuclear power facility.
“Nuclear power might have worked in other countries, but it'snot the right fitfor Australia, and certainly isn't the right fit for the Latrobe Valley, sitting on afault line and next to acoal pit which is inherently unstable," she said.
“We have over $40bn of investment and renewable energy jobs that are already materialising for people in Gippsland. To pursue this nuclear fantasy puts all that at risk.”
“It’s all well and good to bring in nuclear engineers from out of town, but we have our own experts here who are saying nuclear power is not suitable for our region."
View: Anti-nucleardemonstrators took to KayStreetGardens last year to voicetheir opinion.
THE upcoming Gippsland Sculpture Exhibition will be held in Yinnarfrom March 9toApril 20.
Email NicoleAllen at: info@gippslandsculptureexhibition.com or phone 0416 435 070 for more information.
Peer supportgroup
LATROBE region parent/family/peersupport for those with children who have autism spectrum disorder or other neurodiversity's/co-occurring diagnosis is open for all.
The group meets on the first Friday of the month at Daily Living Disability Services (7 Rocola Road, Traralgon) -except during school and public holidays.
This is averyinformal gathering, withaguest speaker sometimes coming along.
Session are from 10am.
Formore information, phone0415540 296, or email: loovy1974@gmail.com
Garden Club
TRARALGON Garden Club's first meeting for 2025isonTuesday, February 11 at 2pmat Glenview Park (Traralgon Racecourse) -110 McNairn Rd, Traralgon.
The club is afriendly group of people with an interest in all aspects of gardening.
Visitors are always welcome.
For further information,phone Bryan Corkran on 0408 598 016.
In the hills
MOUNT Erica LionsClub, covering Rawson, Erica and surrounds, welcomed astrongturnout for its Australia Day celebrations.
Three legged races, bouncing pingpong balls, egg and spoonraces, gumboottossand evenrolling pin toss were some of the popular activities on offer. Everyone went home with asmile and prize or more!
The Lions cookedupsomedelectable snags with tons of onions, as well as some great hamburgers.
The children designedtheir own Australia Day poster with all entries to be incorporatedinto next year's poster.
Safespace
COMMUNITY dropinspace to support prisoners and their families/carers is available in Moe.
The space is open on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pmatthe Madge Vinell Centre (7 Anzac Street, Moe).
Chess battles
STEVE Ahhern won every battle at the Tuesday Chess club meetingand is now prepared for the newchallenges.
Cliff Thornton was defeated after mishaps at crucial stages of Latrobe Valley Chess.
The draw between Peter Bakker and Ian Hamilton was followed with success for both players later on.
Posing awkward problems for opponents helped Price Samasiea find opportunities in every battle.
Losing too much material was aproblem for Goshen Wu.
Creative checkmate patterns were played by Aaron Nabulsi, who lost several other games. Samantha Juers foundthe strong attacks difficult to defend against.
The study of complex tactics was useful for Anna Wu.
Phone Cliff Thornton on 0413 330 458 or Ian Hamilton (0400 221 649) for details.
U3A
LATROBE Valley U3A invites new members. Are you actively retired?Doyou want to continue to challenge your mind and body?
Latrobe Valley University of the Third Age offers arange of classes and activities which may interest you. Check out the website at: lvu3a.org.au for more information.
Thoseinterestedare also invited to call into the office at Airlie Bank Homestead (33 The Boulevard, Morwell)between 1.30pm and 3.30pm on any Wednesday. Further detailscan be obtained from the secretary on 0493 478 044.
Affordable art
MOE Art Group members are preparing for an 'Affordable Art Sale', which willbeheld from April 3-5.
Members will set up their displays on tables inside and outside theirworkshopatthe Moe Public Library in George St, where it will be easily accessible to the public.
The small works, all painted by talented local artists, will include oils, watercolours and drawings. There will be lots of 'little treasures' to be discovered among them.
One of the new, younger, members will also bring along some books which have been published.
Let's dance
NEXT Toongabbie Old Time Dance will be this Friday (February 7) commencing at 7.30pm at theToongabbie Mechanics Institute Hall at the VillageGreen Music willbesupplied by Norm Ladewith Monte Carlo, lucky door prize and raffle. Admission is $8. Bring aplate to share. For further information, phone 0419 874 958. Everyone is welcome to come along for anight of fun and dancing.
Good FridayAppeal
THIS year's Moe Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal fundraiser will be afamily bowls day at the Newborough Bowling Club (Monash Rd Newborough)onSunday,March 2commencing from 11am.
Costis$20 foradults and $10 for children, which includes abarbecuelunch and bowls are supplied.
There will be lots of raffle prizes on the day. No experience is needed as this is just afun day to raisemoney for the RCHGood Friday Appeal for the Moe/Newborough area.
Come along for afantastic day of fun and to support agreat cause.
For tickets, message Sue Bechaz on 0407 677 230 or visitMoe GoodFriday Appeal on Facebook.
Parkinson's support
NEXT meeting of the Latrobe Valley Parkinson’s Peer Support Group will be held on Thursday, February13from 11am to 1pm at Gippsland RotaryCentenary House(39 Valley Drive, Traralgon).
This informal,local groupprovides awelcoming environment for peopleinterested in Parkinson’s to come together to support each other.The group is also supported by Fight Parkinson's.
There is no cost involved. Join for acuppa and bring along your lunch or asnack if you would like to.
For more information, phone Fight Parkinson’s (formerlyParkinson’s Victoria) on 1800 644 189.
Dance lessons
JOIN Latrobe Valley Dance Promotions Inc to learn old time and new vogue dances, learn new dance skills, have fun, revise and socialise.
Lessons are held at the Morwell Girl Guides Hall (18 Margaret St, Morwell).
Lessons startbackuptomorrow (Thursday, February 6) from 7pm. Cost is $5 per person each night.
Follow Latrobe Valley Dance Promotions Inc
on Facebook, or phone Len on 0439 683 834 or Lynda (0428 489 041).
Meditation group
MOE Meditation Group has startedits program for 2025.
Enquiries are welcome anytime.
The group meets from 8.30am to 9.30am on Wednesday mornings in the Narracan Hall at Gippsland Heritage Park (Old Gippstown).
For more information, email clem@asia.com or phone 0427 262 064.
Cost is $5 per session.
Familyhistory
MID Gippsland Family History Centre is now open to the public every Wednesday afternoon between 1pm and 4pm.
Anyone interested in learning more about their ancestorsand familyhistory -whether araw beginner or an experienced family historian/ genealogist-iswelcome to come along and have achatwith one of our experienced researchers who are keen to help you navigate the resources we have.
You'll be amazed at what you can discover about your ancestry by using such resources as Trove, Ancestry.com and our large holding of cemetery records and transcriptions.
All are welcome.
For enquiries, call 0407 485 032.
Time to tango
BACK dancing for 2025 in Yarragon.
Tango lessons are every Wednesday evening from7pm in theStDavid's Uniting Church Hall (behind the church with sign out the front) -9 Campbell St, Yarragon. Visitthe Facebook page 'Gippsland Tango' for more information.
Social tennis
MORWELL social tennis is held every Monday and Friday morning from 9am until 12pm. This is amixed group of friendly people who enjoy asocial hit of modified tennis. Each game is short,with the four players serving once. Come join in the fun.
Choir chorus
LATROBE Valley Choir's Term 1workshops commence this Saturday (February 8) from 1-5pm.
All interested women are invited to join this exciting program of music led by award winning conductor Patrick Burns.
This is an inclusive group that has lots of laughs.
No experience is needed.
Thereisthree workshops thisterm, (February 8, March 2, March 22) at St James Hall, Grey St, Traralgon.
Enquiries to Tinekeon0427 955 009, or email lvc@playitforward.org.au
Bridgeresults
TRARALGON Bridge Club results: Monday, January 27 -1st Helen McAdam and Moira Hecker (69 per cent); 2nd Ken Tierney and Monika Cornell (60).
Tuesday, January 28 -N/S 1st Helen McAdam and Moira Hecker (62.08); 2ndRob Grahamand Glenis Lohr(61.67). E/W 1st Christine Zarb and Fred Kaminski (59.29); 2nd Kaye Douglas and Roshni Chand (57.5).
Thursday, January 30 -N/S 1st Rob Graham and Glenis Lohr (58.63); 2nd Moira Hecker and Helen McAdam (54.46). E/W 1st Don Tylee and Roshni Chand (61.9); 2nd Fred Kaminski and Heather Henley (60.12).
If you would like to play or learn more about bridge, phone Traralgon Bridge Club President, Greg Nicholson on 0419 365 739.
Fish and chip meet
MEETnew friendsover fish and chips. Looking forafun way to meet new people? Join Phillip and his support worker for arelaxed gathering in Newman Park on Friday, February 21. Comealong foracasual chat, enjoy some fresh air, and connect with others in afriendly, welcoming environment.
If this event is successful, it will become a monthly gathering.
For more information, phone Phillip on 0400 603 367.
Keenagers
MOE/NEWBOROUGH KeenagersTable Tennis Club will be holding amorning tea to celebrate their 20th anniversary on Thursday, February 13.
The event will be held at LatrobeLeisure Centre, Old Sale Road, Newboroughcommencing at 10.30am.
To confirm your attendance, phone secretary Maria Harkomon0414826 463, or email keenagersmoe@gmail.com.
Youcan be apartof Community Corner
IF youare acommunitygroupand have any newsitems you need publicised, feel free to email us at news@lvexpress.com.au
You can address correspondence to the editor, Liam Durkin Please write 'Community Corner' in the subject line and nothing else. Deadline is Friday 9am.
Liam Durkin
Thrice: Three legged races at the MountErica Australia Dayevent. Photograph supplied
Step backintime: OldGippstown, Moe features authentic historicbuildings detailing the region’s history
Photograph: Liam Durkin
HOROSCOPES
by Joanne Madeline Moore
February3 -February9,2025
t ng into your sign on Tuesday – try to focus on love in all its forms Self- ove, love for others, ove of nature and love of l fe As music legend (and birthday great) Bob Marley sang: “Overcome the devils w th a thing cal ed love ”
This week the Sun, Mercury and P uto urge you to transform things on the career front Some intrepid Taureans will change jobs (or take on a second job) but you could ust jazz up your daily work rout ne Whatever you do, avoid getting stuck in a boring rut! Expect a few re ationship rumb es on the weekend, especially f you are being lackadaisical and lazy As Venus (your rul ng planet) shifts into action-sign Ar es, smart Bulls will str ve to be more proactive
It’s a wonderful week for socialising w th local friends and network ng w th international connect ons But are you feeling rather rest ess? Is the green, green grass of home looking pretty predictable and boring? Blame it on the Sun, Mercury and Pluto stirring up your adventure zone Wh ch will activate your Gem n travel gene and leave you dreaming of trop cal trips heaven y holidays and exot c escapades So you’d better start planning (and saving) ASAP!
Secrets and mysteries abound as the Sun, Mercury and Pluto visit your trust zone, so avoid fake news and be very careful about who you place your trust in You’re also keen to show oved ones how much you really care Avoid being too over-protective though Al relat onsh ps need room to breathe and there’s a big difference between oving and smothering Be inspired by b rthday great, wr ter Char es Dickens: “A lov ng heart is the truest wisdom ”
Many Lions have been fee ing rather lack ustre F ery Mars is reversing through your solitude zone, so energy leve s wil be low, and you won’t fee l ke being the sociable life of the party But this week the Sun, Mercury and Jupiter encourage you to catch up with fam ly members and close friends in casual, low-key ways, where you can chat quietly and confident ally Sunday’s stars particular y favour creative jo nt ventures and oneon-one conversations
The Sun, Mercury, Jupiter and Pluto activate your work and dai y routine zone So t’s t me to learn new techniques, reorganise your office, start a business or even change your job You possess many versati e Virgo talents, but they won’t truly blossom until you nurture and develop them with the help of a wise mentor When wi l the teacher appear? When the student is ready! However – courtesy of retro Mars – a friendship may fee as f it’s going backwards
Creat ve partnerships and joint ventures are favoured, as you spark deas off each other and pool talents to create something tru y un que When t comes to a romantic relationship, stop talking ong enough to let your partner have the r say Jupiter could send a spec al friend along to he p you out of a sticky situat on As music icon (and birthday great) Bob Marley observed: “True fr ends are like stars; you can only recognise them when t’s dark around you ”
With act on-planet Mars revers ng through your holiday/adventure zone (unti February 24) trave plans may be disrupted or even delayed So be extra patient and make sure you check everything (like flights and accommodat on) at east twice! On Fr day, Venus links up with Pluto (your rul ng planet) which is fabulous for work partnersh ps, family relat onsh ps, friendsh ps and romant c rendezvous, as you connect with others in deep and mean ngful ways
Home sweet home is the place to be, as six p anets l ght up your domestic and neighbourhood zones Life is busy as fr ends and fam ly members come and go, and expect plenty of stimu at ng conversat ons t’s a so time to be more proactive about mproving your health and fitness v a a more nutritious diet and a more flexible exerc se routine Some a ternative therapies (l ke acupuncture, herbalism or hypnosis) could help sh ft a stubborn problem
The Sun/Jupiter trine encourages you to tweak your timetable, devise a new dai y schedu e or reboot a work relationship t also suits projects that require a curious mind, se f-mot vation and flexible thinking So don’t waste the opportunity to communicate with colleagues, power through paperwork or learn something new But with Mars revers ng through your relationship zone (unti February 24) you’ll have to be extra patient w th loved ones
The creative Sun, clever Mercury and powerfu Pluto are a l transiting through your s gn So don’t sit around waiting for magica things to happen or for other people to make your dreams come true It’s all up to you, baby! As Aquarian writer (and birthday great) Alice Walker observed: “Don’t wait around for other peop e to be happy for you Any happiness you get you’ve got to make yourself Happiness s not something ready-made It comes from your own actions ”
W th practical Saturn and idealistic Neptune both trans ting through Pisces, you need to take your Neptun an dreams and spin them into rock-solid Saturnian rea ity So your motto for the moment is from writer (and birthday great) Alice Walker: “Look closely at the present you are constructing – it should look like the future you are dream ng ” Sunday’s stars favour quiet med tation, peaceful relaxat on, journal writing and thoughtful contemplation
Sustainable addition
GIPPSLAND Water is making it easier to stay hydratedatcommunity events, withupgraded portable drinking fountains available.
The fountains have afresh new look, featuring artworkbyGunnai artist Alice Pepper, and an improved design ideal for filling reusable drink bottles.
Gippsland Water Managing Director, Sarah Cumming said the fountains were asustainable solution to reduce reliance on single-use plastic water bottles.
“Thesefountainsmakefresh drinking watereasilyaccessible during community events and lessen the need for single use plastic,” Ms Cumming said.
“Instead, attendees can bring abottle from home and fill it up as many times as they need to. It’s awin for the environment and for your wallet.
“The fountainsare also freetobookand easy to connect to any ordinary garden hose fitting.”
Demandontown water supply systemstypically increases during hot weather,which can put pressure on water treatment and distribution infrastructure.
While it’s important to stay well-hydrated during hot weather, there are simple things customers can do to help balance demand:
Put off non-essential water use such as watering gardens, pressure hosing, and filling pools until off-peak times, between 9pm and 6am;
Take shorter showers for four minutes or less and reuse water where possible, and;
Report any leaks or main breaks as soon as possible to Gippsland Water on 1800 057 057. Customers are also being reminded to ensure they include an alternate water source in their bushfire plan.
Three pairs of fountains are now available to book for not-for-profit community events where a water main connection is available.
GIPPSLAND Water is also reminding customers to use water wisely as hot weather continues to engulf the region.
Temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees have been recorded since Saturday.
Reticulated water systems are not designed to manage the pressure of bushfire events and can experience lowornopressure duetodamage or firefighting efforts.
If supplies are interrupted, Gippsland Water will aim to notify customers in several ways, including text message, their website, and social media.
COPYR GHT Joanne Made ne Moore 2025
50 years ago
The Express, February 7, 1975
Brought back
A22-year-old man alleged to have escaped from Morwell River prison farm last August was extradited from Grafton, NSW, last week.
involved extensive travel to various and steel enterprises throughout China. The program was the largestand most successful Chinese project of its type that Australia has ever completed. It’sprimary purpose was to develop business skills in the Chinese iron and steelindustry, to expose managers to western management techniques, to develop the skills and expertise of Chinese academic staff and to cement relationships between Chineseand Australian industry.
10 years ago
Det Sgt B. Hirst of MorwellCIB went to Grafton last week to bring back Anthony James Curtis of no fixed address. Curtis appeared in Morwell Court last Friday charged with escaping from legal custody and burglary at acontractor’s building at Hazlewood power station. He was committed for trial at the Morwell County Court beginning March 3.
The Express, 2February, 2015
Armed robberyatthe
Morwell Bowls Club
30 years ago
The Express, February 5, 1995
Monash academic back from China
MONASH University academicJeff Wrathall has returned to Gippsland School of Business after working 10 months as a visitor professoratthe Wuhaniron and SteelUniversity in China. During his stay in China, Mr Wrathall was involved with the marketingand deliveryofmanagement coursestothe middle and senior managers in the Chinese iron and steel industry. This
POLICE are lookingfor aman whoheld up Morwell Bowling Club gaming staff with alarge knife and wearing abalaclava on Friday evening. According to Morwell Police Acting Sergeant, Michael Felton, the man ran into the bowling club’sgamingarea about 10.50pm, jumped on the barand threatened the staff member.
Act Sgt Felton said the staff member fled to the rear office and the offendertook an unknown amount of money from the cash register. “He then ran off into the darkness in an unknown direction and was unable to be located,” Act Sgt Felton said.
Heretohelp: Gippsland WaterManaging Director,Sarah Cumming witha set of newportable drinkingfountains Photograph supplied
TheGuide
SANDI TOKSVIG’S WOODLAND RESTORATION
SBS, Saturday, 7.30pm
QIhostSandi Toksvig might strike viewers as agreen thumb,but she’s the firsttoconfess she knows nothing about gardening.All that’sabout to change though, as Toksvig and her wifeDebbie(both pictured) havejust fulfilled their lifelong dream of buying an ancient woodland in southern England. With wit,determination and alittle help,the pair begin the process of restoringtheir patch of naturetonight Faced with h a dark overgrown waterlogged jungle their first step is clearing the plot’s invasive holly bushes to let more light in – it s an entertaining educational journey for viewers and Toksvig alike
ST.DENIS
Seven, M
This medic Superstore Ledgin is a bestof Scr the volum underfund chaos as th their best maintaint Aussie Jos Lies)plays Bruce, Brid McLendon director Jo WomenKl Tolman is s Alex. Tonig to demons value, whi Ron(David apatient h
ISMEDICAL Monday, 9.10pm cal mockumentaryfrom esJustinSpitzerand Eric riotous comedy that takes the rubsand s TheOffice,then turns eupto11. Set in achronically ded hospital in Oregon,it’s hebeleaguered staff try to treat patients and heir ownsanity. shLawson (Houseof s trauma surgeon desmaids’ Wendi n-Coveyishospital oyceand Why Killstandout Allison l supervising nurse ght,Bruce tries stratehis work’s le emergencydoc d Alan Grier) thinks has acrush on him.
Doctor in the house: Aussie actor Josh Lawson plays trauma surgeon Bruce in St Denis Medical
PICK OF TH
MUSTER DOGS:
ABC TV,Sunday,
Wednesday, February 5
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
6am Morning Programs. 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABCWorldNewsTonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 History Of Britain. (PGan, R) 2.55 Railway Journeys UK. (PG, R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 TheCook Up.(PG,R) 4.10 Secrets Of The Imperial WarMuseum. (PG, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
7.00 ABCNews.
7.30 7.30
8.00 Hard Quiz (PG)
8.30 Optics. (Ml) Meredith stumbles upon acluetoFritz’ssecrets. 9.00 Guy Montgomery’sGuy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG,R) Presented by Guy Montgomery.
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 TheReal Crown: InsideThe House Of Windsor (PG,R) 8.30 Wonders Of The Moon WithDaraÓ Briain Presented by DaraÓBriain. 9.25 Miniseries:Playing Nice. (Mal) 10.20 SBS World News Late. 10.50 Pagan Peak.(MA15+av) 11.40 Rogue Heroes. (MA15+lsv, R) 12.50 Agent Hamilton. (MA15+v, R) 2.30 Home Is Where TheArt Is. (R) 3.20 Inside TheModelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.15 Peer To Peer.(R) 4.45 Destination Flavour: SingaporeBitesize.(R) 5.00 NHK World English NewsMorning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight
(31) 6am
Programs. 3.40pm Go Jetters. 3.50 Andy’sSafari
4.05 TishTash. 4.15 Pop Paper City 4.25 Nella The Princess Knight 4.40 Vida The Vet. 4.50 Bluey. 5.00 PeppaPig. 5.10 Pfffirates. 5.20 KangarooBeach 5.35 Fireman Sam. 5.45 HeyDuggee. 5.55 Paddington. 6.05 KiyaAnd The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts. 6.35 Kiri And Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun TheSheep 7.35 Star Wars: YoungJedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Doctor Who. 10.55 Late Programs.
EWEEK
COLLIES AND KELPIES
7.30pm
9.30 The Sitting Duck. (2022, M, Hungarian) 11.45 The Dazzled.(2019,MA15+,French) 1.40am The Trust (2016,MA15+) 3.20 Studs. (2006,M) 5.00 Binti. (2019,PG, Dutch)
Thespotlight is onc homegrown series s and their working d an exciting twistthi followed fivekelpie adorable border col bothtothe test –co weaknesses and hig uited into t know them niva,V ng the so co th goo g.
an breed is best s puppies settle trainers get to and introduce the land. In Kan Kim is mournin favouritedog comesfirstwit Banjo’s training
ceagain on rural Australia in this gorgeous showcasing thebonds shared by graziers ogsonfarms across the country. There’s stime around: while the first season puppies and the second alitter of llies, the third instalment puts omparingtheir strengthsand ghlightingthe work each d to.Tonight,the 12-week-old their new homes as the w theirpersonalities m to life on Victoria, e loss of her onnection ofy kelpie
PRETTY BABY:BROOKE SHIELDS
SBS, Tuesday, 8.30pm
Propelled into the public eyeasa12-year-old by acontroversialrole in 1978’s Pretty Baby actress andmodelBrookeShields (pictured) found her career defined by a sexuality thatshe didn’t yetunderstand –asituation compounded when she went on to star in TheBlueLagoonand acampaign of suggestiveCalvin Klein ads as a teen As much acultural exposé as an emotional celebritytell-all, this two-part documentarysees a57-year-old Shields reflect on child stardom and her relationship with “momager”Teri. Shields’lucid insightsonthe harsh realities of lifein the spotlight and avivid collection of archival footagemakefor compelling viewing.
SEVEN (7,6)
NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners.(R) 10.55 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Parliament QuestionTime. 3.00 ForeverSummer With Nigella. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs.(R) 4.15 Long Lost Family:What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.00 ABite To EatWithAlice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 SevenNoon News. 1.00 AustralianIdol (PGl, R) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and ScottTweedie. 3.00 TheChase. (R) Hosted by Bradley Walsh. 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 TheChaseAustralia. Hosted by LarryEmdur
6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 HomeAnd Away (PG) The clock is ticking for Lyrik’s return. 7.30 The1%ClubUK. (Return, PG) Hosted by LeeMack. 8.30 Ludwig. (Premiere,Ma) The lifeofpuzzlesetter John “Ludwig” Taylor is upended when his identical twin disappears.
11.00 TheSuspects: True Australian Thrillers. (Mlv,R) 12.00 Black-ish. (PGa, R) 1.00 Harry’sPractice. (R) 1.30 Travel Oz (PG, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 Today 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At FirstSight (PGls,R) 1.30 My Way. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point (PG, R) 4.00 9NewsAfternoon 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia.
6.00 9News
7.00 ACurrentAffair
7.30 MarriedAtFirstSight. (Mls) Confessions Week continues. 9.00 Big Miracles. (Return, Mam) Follows anew groupofhopefuls on their journey to becoming parents withthe help of IVF
10.00 9News Late
10.30 Casualty 24/7 (Mm, R)
11.30 TheEqualizer (Mv,R)
12.15 Tipping Point. (PG,R)
1.05 Cybershack. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: HomeShopping. (R)
2.30 Global Shop.(R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 5.00 TodayEarly News. 5.30 Today
TEN (10, 5)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by
Puppy love: Kim and young kelpie Banjo bond
Thursday, February 6
ABC (2) SBS (3)
6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 Eat The Invaders. (PG, R) 10.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 The Newsreader.(Ml, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Forever Summer WithNigella.(Final, R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (PG, R) 4.15 Long Lost Family:What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)
6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG,R)
7.30 7.30 Presented by Sarah Ferguson. 8.00 BackRoads: Outback Way, NT Pt 1. Presented by Lisa Millar
8.30 Long Lost Family (Final, PG) Davina McCalland Nicky Campbell follow thestory of amotherliving with aheart-breakingdecision.
9.20 Grand Designs: Derbyshire. (R) Hosted by Kevin McCloud.
6am MorningPrograms. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Point:RoadToReferendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 History Of Britain. (PGav,R) 2.55 Railway Journeys UK. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 Secrets Of The Imperial WarMuseum. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy!(R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) Presented by Marc Fennell.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Finding Your Roots: Forever Young. Hosted by HenryLouis GatesJr.
8.30 Scotland’sPoshest Train: Alan Cumming. (Premiere, PG)AlanCumming steps aboard theRoyalScotsmanfor atrain adventure through the heart of Scotland.
9.30 TheDarkness. (Malsv) Lukas and Hulda’s investigation progresses as they begin to delveintocorruption
10.20 SBS World News Late. 10.50 DividedWeStand. (Ml) 12.40 Blanca. (Malv, R) 2.40 BarkleyManor (PG, R)
3.05 Inside TheModelling Agency (Ml, R) 4.05 PeerToPeer.(a, R) 4.35 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.
SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm Hey Duggee. 5.55 Paddington. 6.05 KiyaAnd The Kimoja Heroes. 6.20 Bluey 6.25 Octonauts. 6.35 KiriAnd Lou. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 The Deep. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep 7.35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Secrets Of TheZoo 9.25 72 Cutest Animals. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)
6am WorldWatch. 10.00 Front Up Noon WorldWatch. 12.30 Patriot Brains. 2.20 CowboyKings Of Crypto 2.50 Insight 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.45 Alone: TheSkillsChallenge. 6.10 Stan Walker: Impossible Live. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 8.30 The Flight Attendant Murders. 10.20 Homicide: Life On The Street. 1.05am Criminal Planet 2.55 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show.(PG) 12.00 SevenNoonNews. 1.00 MOVIE: Farmer Seeking Love. (2022, PGa) Donna Benedicto,TanyaClarke 3.00 Sri Lanka Vs Australia: Pre-Game Show 3.30 Cricket. Second Test.Sri Lankav Australia.Day 1. Morning session. From Galle International Stadium, Sri Lanka. 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 The ChaseAustralia.
6.00 SevenNews.
7.00 Home And Away (PGav) Harper puts on abrave face
8.30 MOVIE: Bridget Jones’s Diary. (2001, Mlv, R) Ayoung British woman struggling withtwo suitors one awell-mannered lawyer and the other acharismatic womaniser,who also happens to be her boss, documents ayearofher life through her diary. Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant.
10.45 St. Denis Medical. (PGals, R) Matt’s first day as anurseisnot going as planned.
4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise
NITV (34) 6am Shopping. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Harry’sPractice 8.00 MillionDollarMinute.
6am Morning Programs. 2pm Unsettled 2.30 The Cook Up 3.00 Waabiny Time. 3.25 Little JAnd BigCuz. 3.35 Spartakus. 4.05 Cities Of Gold. 4.35 Motown Magic 5.00 Our Stories. 5.30 The77Percent. 6.00 Bamay. 6.30 News. 6.40 Wildlife RescueNew Zealand. 7.30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. 8.30 The Green Veil 9.30 MOVIE: NewJack City. (1991, MA15+) 11.15 Late Programs.
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning 12.00 Married At First Sight (Mls, R) 1.30 The Long DriveFor Drought. (PG, R) 2.00 Pointless.(PG,R) 3.00 TippingPoint (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30[VIC]WINNews.
6.00 9News.
7.00 ACurrent Affair.
7.30 RBT. (Return, Mdl) Follows the activities of police units.
8.30 Emergency (Return, Mlm) Dr James Williams fears for ayoung cheerleader who has landed on herheadduring training.
9.30 A+EAfter Dark (Return, Mlm) An aggressivepatient must be restrained and admitted to the dedicated mental health department.
10.30 9News Late.
11.00 ResidentAlien. (Malv)
11.50 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
12.40 Pointless. (PG,R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 GlobalShop. (R)
3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoiceOfVictory.(PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair.(R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today
9GEM (92,81)
Roadshow 7.30 Keeping Up Appearances. 8.40 Poirot 10.40 Dalgliesh. 11.40 Late Programs.
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. HostedbyGrant Denyer 6.30 TheProject Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 I’mACelebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) The celebritiescontinue to compete in atestofsurvival in the jungle for the chance to claimthe title. 9.00 TheGraham Norton Show. (Ml) Graham Norton is joined on the couch by Jamie Foxx,CameronDiaz Michelle Yeoh and Jonathan Bailey 10.10 10’s LateNews. Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news,aswellasthe latest sport and weather 10.35 TheProject. (R) Alook at
SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)
6am
Binti. Continued. (2019, PG, Dutch) 6.40 Spitfire (2018,PG) 8.30 Whisky Galore. (2016,PG) 10.25 The Tracker. (2002, M) 12.15pm Full Time. (2021, M, French) 1.50 Goal! 2: LivingThe Dream. (2007, PG) 4.00 Hacker.(2019,PG, Danish) 5.50 Whina. (2022, PG, Maori) 7.50 We Are Still Here. (2022, M) 9.30 Kompromat. (2022, M, French) 11.50 Late Programs.
7TWO (72, 62) 6am Children’s Programs. Noon Hart Of Dixie. 1.00 Bewitched. 1.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 2.00 The GoldenGirls. 2.30 TheNanny 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 TheAddams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The Golden Girls. 6.30 TheNanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Magic Mike.(2012, MA15+) 10.45 Seinfeld. 11.45 TheO.C 12.40am TheNanny 1.40 Love During Lockup 2.30 Late Programs. 6am
Friday, February7
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
SEVEN (7,6)
NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Planet America. (R) 10.30 Take 5WithZan Rowe.(PG,R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Silent Witness. (Masv, R) 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family:What Happened Next. (PG, R) 5.00 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)
6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG,R) Presented by TomGleeson.
7.00 ABC News. Alook at the top stories of theday
7.35 Monty Don’sSpanish Gardens (Premiere) Monty Don visits Spain.
8.35 SilentWitness. (Mav) The team investigates abody discocered in a flat after being dead for ayear
10.20 Optics (Ml, R) Meredith stumbles upon aclue to Fritz’ssecrets 10.50 Hard Quiz. (PG,R) Presented by TomGleeson. 11.20 ABC Late News.
Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG,R)
(R)
(MA15+adhlnsv)
Rage.(PG)
6am MorningPrograms. 10.10 Great LighthousesOfIreland. (R) 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Such WasLife. (PGa, R) 2.10 History Of Britain. (PGa, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 Secrets Of The Imperial WarMuseum. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! (R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) Presented by Marc Fennell. 6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 CostaConcordia: Why She Sank. (Mal,R)A look at the sinkingofthe CostaConcordia
8.30 RayMartin: Mysteries Of TheOutback. (Ml, R) Ray Martin embarks on aquest to findamysterious outback rock formation.
10.20 SBS World NewsLate.
10.50 Bonn. (MA15+s)
11.45 Sisi. (MA15+av,R)
2.50 BarkleyManor. (R)
3.20 Inside The Modelling Agency.(Ml, R) 4.15 Peer To Peer.(a, R) 4.45 Destination Flavour: Singapore Bitesize. (PGa,R) 5.00 NHK World EnglishNews Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The MorningShow.(PG) 12.00 SevenNoon News. 1.00 MOVIE: No Good Deed. (2020,Mav) 3.00 Sri LankaVsAustralia: Pre-Game Show. 3.30 Cricket. SecondTest. Sri Lanka vAustralia. Day2.Morningsession. 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 TheChase Australia.
6.00 SevenNews 7.00 Better HomesAnd Gardens Summer. Johanna Griggs learnsrecycling secrets withLottie Dalziel. Adam Dovile and Charlie Albone rejuvenate aFederation home. Colin Fassnidge bakes spiced stone fruit.Graham Ross revels in springazaleas. 8.30 To Be Advised.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute (R)
Three contestants go head to head in atestofbrain power andbravery, as they compete forthe chance to winthe grand prizeof$1,000,000 Hosted by Grant Denyer
5.00 NBCToday International news including interviews with people from the world of business, politics,media andsports.
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Love On The Reef.(2023,G)Ansley Gordon, Marc Herrmann. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG,R) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG, R) 5.30[VIC]WINNews.
6.00 9News.
7.00 ACurrentAffair
7.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo: Savannah Elephants. (PG) Elephantsand their enclosure are cleaned.
8.30 MOVIE: TheEqualizer (2014,MA15+lv,R)A formerblack-ops agent,who fakedhis death, comes out of retirement to rescue agirl. Denzel Washington, Chloë Grace Moretz, Marton Csokas.
4.30 Global Shop.(R) 5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Postcards. (PG,R)
TEN (10, 5)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer 6.30 TheProject. Alook at the day’snews. 7.30 AACTAAwards 2025 TheAACTA Awards honour Australian television creatives and performers for their achievements over the past year 10.00 10’s LateNews. Comprehensive coverage of local, national and international news, as well as the latest sport and weather
Saturday, February 8
ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7,6) TEN (10, 5)
6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Weekend Breakfast. 9.00 Rage.(PG) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 Beyond Paradise. (PGa, R) 1.30 Optics. (Ml, R) 2.00 Hippo Watch With Steve Backshall. (PG, R) 2.45 Mozart: Rise Of A Genius. (Ml, R) 4.00 Eat TheInvaders. (PG, R) 4.30 Muster Dogs: Collies AndKelpies. (PG, R) 5.30 Dr Karl’sHow ThingsWork. (R)
6.00 Australian Story: Unfiltered –Celeste Barber (R) Celeste Barber shares her story
6.30 Back Roads: Outback Way, NT Pt 1. (R) Presented by Lisa Millar.
7.00 ABCNews. Alookatthe topstories of the day.
7.30 Beyond Paradise. (Final, PG) Humphrey investigates an inexplicable crime.
8.30 Vera (PGadlv,R)After thebodyofa young woman is foundwashed up on the banks of the RiverTyne, DCI Vera Stanhope investigates who would havewanted abelovedmother,friend and manager at agreen energy company dead
10.05 TheNewsreader (Ml, R) Helen and Daleare forced into competition.
11.00 Unforgotten. (Madl, R) Remains arediscovered in aperiod property
11.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
NITV (34)
6am Morning Programs. 1.10pm Wildlife Rescue New Zealand. 2.00 Nula. 2.30 Reel Injun: On The Trail Of The Hollywood Indian. 4.10 The Shaman’sApprentice 4.30 Strait To The Plate. 5.05 Spirit Talker 5.30 Ice Cowboys. 6.20 News. 6.30 The Other Side 7.30 AloneAustralia. 8.30 MOVIE: TheExorcist. (1973 MA15+) 10.35 Johnny Cash: Redemption Of An Idol. 12.15am Late Programs.
Sunday, February9
ABC TV (2)
6am MorningPrograms. 8.00 DD India News Hour 9.00 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R) 10.00 BBC News At Ten. 10.30 ABC World News Tonight. 11.00 PBS News. 12.00 Cycling. ProVelo SuperLeague. Round 2. Melbourne To Warrnambool Men’s race 3.00 Sailing.SailGP Sydney. Day 1. 4.30 Cycling. AlUla Tour.Highlights. 5.30 Auschwitz:The Inside Man. (PGav,R)
6.30 SBS WorldNews. 7.30 Sandi Toksvig’sWoodland Restoration (Premiere, Ml) Sandi Toksvig restores apatch of woodland.
8.25 Scotland TheNew Wild: Highlands. (PG) Explores Scotland’s Highlands, avastlandscape dominated by hills, forests and glens.
9.25 Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro (PGa, R) Julia Zemiro heads to Tasmania.
10.25 Beautiful Lakes Of NorthernItaly (R)
11.15 Home Jacking (Premiere, Mlv)
12.35 The Man Who Died. (MA15+as, R) 2.25 Love Your Garden.(R) 3.20 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.15 PeerToPeer (a,R) 4.45 Destination Flavour ChinaBitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6am WorldWatch.
10.00 Front Up 10.30 Front Up 2000 Noon Seeking Fire 1.35 Beyond OakIsland. 2.25 Ten Year Old Tom. 2.55 Celebrity Mastermind. 4.00 WorldWatch. 5.55 The Food ThatBuilt The World 7.35 Impossible Engineering. 8.30 IconsUnearthed: TomCruise. (Premiere) 10.20 Hudson &Rex Midnight The X-Files. 3.40 NHK WorldEnglish News. 5.00 Al Jazeera.
6am
WhiskyGalore. Continued.(2016,PG) 6.50 Arthur And The TwoWorlds War. (2010,PG) 8.45 Hacker (2019,PG, Danish) 10.30 Kompromat.(2022, M, French) 12.50pm We Are Still Here. (2022, M) 2.30 Whina. (2022, PG, Maori) 4.35 Summerland. (2020, PG) 6.30 The Magic Of Belle Isle. (2012, PG) 8.30 Breath. (2017, M) 10.45 Mothering Sunday.(2021, MA15+) 12.45am Late Programs.
6.00 NBCToday 7.00 WeekendSunrise. 10.00 The MorningShow: Weekend.(PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Inglis Millennium Day and CaulfieldFamily Day 3.00 Sri Lanka Vs Australia: Pre-GameShow 3.30 Cricket. Second Test. Sri Lankav Australia. Day 3. Morning session. 5.00 SevenNewsAt5 5.30 Border Security:Australia’s Front Line.(PG, R)
6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Border Security:Australia’s Front Line. (PG,R)AnX-ray of apackage at the mailcentre has the wildlife team desperate to get it open before it is too late.
7.30 MOVIE: TheBourne Identity (2002, Mlv,R)A man sets out to discover his identity after being hauled from the ocean withamnesia. MattDamon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper.
10.00 MOVIE: Taken. (2008,MA15+av,R)
Aformerspy uses his expertisetosave his estranged daughter after she and her friend are kidnapped. Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, FamkeJanssen.
12.00 Dr Harry’s AnimalEncounters. (PGa, R) Dr HarryCooper meets abomb detection dogunit
2.00 Home Shopping (R)
4.00 It’sAcademic. (R) 5.00 My GreekOdyssey (PG, R)
7TWO (72, 62)
6am Home Shopping. 8.30 Better Homes And Gardens Summer 10.00 My Greek Odyssey 11.00 Escape To The Country 1pm Better Homes And Gardens. 2.00 Escape To The Country. 3.00 Horse Racing.InglisMillennium Day and Caulfield FamilyDay 6.00 Dog Patrol. 6.30 BondiVet 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Escape To The Country 9.30 IEscaped To The Country. 11.30 Late Programs.
7MATE (73,64)
6am Morning Programs. 1pm Blokesworld. 1.30 On Tour With Allan Border 2.00 Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Drag Racing. NDRC TopDoorslammer.Spring Nationals. 4.00 CountingCars. 5.00 Cricket. Second Test. SriLankavAust. Morning. 5.30 Lunch 6.10 Cricket. SecondTest. Sri LankavAust. Afternoon. 8.10 Tea. 8.30 Cricket. SecondTest. Sri Lanka vAust. Late arvo. 11.00 Late Programs.
(9, 8)
6.00 The Garden Gurus. (R) 6.30 ACurrent Affair.(R) 7.00 WeekendToday 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday.(PG) 12.00 Destination WA (Return, PG) 12.30 My Way. (R) 1.00 Let’s Eat With George. (Premiere) 1.30 MOVIE: Buckley’sChance. (2021, PGal, R) BillNighy. 3.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In TheZoo.(PG, R) 4.30 ExploreTV. 5.00 9News FirstAtFive. 5.30 Country House Hunters Australia. (R) 6am
6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 ACurrent Affair
7.30 Space Invaders. (Return, PGa) Expertshelppeopledeclutter their lives.
8.30 MOVIE: TheBlind Side. (2009,PGdlv,R)A homeless teenager realises his dream of becoming agridiron player, thanks to the aid of akind family.SandraBullock, TimMcGraw, QuintonAaron
11.10 MOVIE: Stronger. (2017,MA15+l, R) An ordinary man becomes asymbol of hope. JakeGyllenhaal.
1.20 Destination WA (PG,R)
1.50 GardenGurus Moments. (R)
2.00 TheIncredible Journey Presents. (PG)
2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.30 Global Shop (R) 5.00 TV Shop:Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 HelpingHands. (PG, R)
9GEM (92, 81)
6am Morning Programs. 7.30 TV Shop 8.00 Thunderbirds. 8.30 Tomorrow’s World. 9.00 TurningPoint 9.30 TV Shop 10.00 Helping Hands 10.30 MOVIE: Sailors Three. (1940) 12.15pm MOVIE: Hobson’sChoice.(1954, PG) 2.30 MOVIE: TheCourtneys Of Curzon Street. (1947) 4.50 MOVIE: Khartoum. (1966) 7.30 MOVIE: Chariots Of Fire.(1981, PG) 10.00 To Be Advised. 12.30am Late Programs.
9GO! (93, 82)
6am Children’s Programs.
1.50pm MOVIE: Courage Mountain. (1990,PG) 3.45 Ben Fogle: Starting Up Starting Over 4.45 Young Sheldon 5.45 MOVIE: Cats &Dogs. (2001, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988, PG) 9.35 MOVIE: TheFull Monty.(1997, M) 11.30 Young Sheldon 12.30am The Originals. 2.30 Ben Fogle: Starting Up StartingOver. 3.30 Beyblade X. 4.00 Transformers: Prime 4.30 Late Programs.
7.30 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. Thepuppies settle into their new homes.
8.30 TheNewsreader (Ml) When
of an oil spill breaks on the day of Public Eye’slaunch, Helen is pressured to rethink her show format. 9.20 Love Me. (Mls) Peter and Clara havehis ex over for dinner whichends with Peter demanding apaternity test.
10.10 MOVIE: BMX Bandits. (1983, PG,R) BMX riders become mixed up with bank robbers. Nicole Kidman.
Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.10 Speechless. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.
6am MorningPrograms. 11.30 APAC Weekly 12.00 Cycling. ProVelo Super League. Round 2. Melbourne To Warrnambool Women’s Race 3.00 Sailing. SailGP Sydney Day 2. 4.30 PBS Washington Week 4.55 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 5.00 Dylan Alcott: Peter Bol And Joseph Deng. (PG, R) 5.25 Rommel: The Soldier,The Son And Hitler.(PGav,R)
6.30 SBS WorldNews.
7.30 Mysteries Of Loch Ness (PG) Alook at the Loch Ness Monster legend.
9.20 Legends Of ThePharaohs: Hatshepsut, ThePharaoh Queen. (Mas, R) Takesalook at Hatshepsut, the fifth Pharaoh of ancient Egypt’s18th Dynasty
10.25 GreatBritish Landmark Fixers: Edinburgh North Bridge. (R) Ateam works on North Bridge in Edinburgh. 11.15 Miniseries: TheBoleyns: A ScandalousFamily (Mas, R) Charts the rise and fall of the Boleyn family
2.40 Love Your Garden. (PGa, R)
3.35 Inside TheModelling Agency (PGl, R)
4.30 Peer To Peer (PGa,R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature 5.30 AlJazeeraNews.
Inv:Accident Files. (PGa, R) 1.00 TBA 3.00 Pre-Game Show 3.30 Cricket. Second Test. SriLankav Australia. Day4.Morning session. (Please note:alternative schedule may be shown due to changes to cricket coverage).
5.00 SevenNewsAt5 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line.(PG, R)
6.00 SevenNews.
7.00 Australian Idol. (PGs) Hosted by Ricki-Lee and Scott Tweedie.
8.50 Queen: In Their Own Words. (Mal) The four founding members of the rock band Queen, tell the story of their lives andcareers in music.
9.50 LeeKernaghan: BoyFrom TheBush. Part concertfilm and part roadmovie featuring Australian country singer LeeKernaghan.
11.55 AutopsyUSA:Debbie Reynolds. (Ma, R)
12.55 FridayNight Lights. (Madsv,R)
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise EarlyNews.
5.30 Sunrise.
7TWO (72, 62)
6.30 TheDog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 7.30 Love It Or ListIt Australia. (Premiere) Neale Whitaker and Andrew Winter help Australians renovate or finda new home.
8.30 TheDog House Australia. (PGa, R) Follows the staff at the Animal Welfare League as it tries to find the right fit fora man with childhood dog-attack trauma, and athree-year-old and his family who are hoping to find aforeverfriend in astaffy puppy 9.30 Ambulance Australia. (Ma, R) NSW Ambulance delivers ababy and saves afour-year-old with acritical heartcondition. 10.30 Ambulance UK (Mal, R) Apatienthas fallen from atree. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.
6.00 Hello SA.(PG,R) 6.30 ACurrent Affair (R) 7.00 Weekend Today 10.00 Golf.Jack Newton Celebrity Classic. 11.00 ForThe Love Of Pets. (PGm, R) 12.00 FishingAustralia 12.30 The Pet Rescuers. (PGm, R) 1.00 MOVIE: TheCuttingEdge.(1992,PGl,R)D.B Sweeney 3.00 Space Invaders. (PGa, R) 4.00 David Attenborough’s GreenPlanet. (R) 5.00 9News First At Five. 5.30
6.00 9News Sunday.
7.00 Married At FirstSight. (PGls) It is time for thecommitment ceremony
8.30 60 Minutes. Current affairs program, investigating, analysing anduncovering the issuesaffecting all Australians.
9.30 9News Late.
10.00 See No Evil: TheBig Guy. (Mav) Alook at two murders
11.00 TheFirst48: TheCode (Mal) Ayoung man is murdered.
11.50Iconic Australia: ThePub (Mav,R)
12.50 DestinationWA. (R) 1.20 Talking Honey. (PG,R) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory. (PGa) 4.30 Fishing Australia. (R) 5.00 TodayEarly News. 5.30 Today
9GEM (92, 81)
TEN (10, 5)
6.00 TheSundayProject. Alook at the day’snews. 7.00 I’mACelebrity… GetMe Out Of Here! (PGals) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin.
8.30 MOVIE: Rocketman (2019,Madls, R) Basedonatruestory.Followsthe life of English singer-songwriterElton John from hisyears as aprodigyatthe Royal Academy of Music to his influential and long-time musical partnership with Bernie Taupin. Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, RichardMadden. 11.00 FBI. (Mv,R)Alocal club ownerisfounddead. 11.50 TheSundayProject. (R) Alookatthe day’snews. 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 CBSMornings. 6am WorldWatch. 9.30 Small Business Secrets. 10.05 Front Up 2000 12.15pm Figure Skating. ISUGrand Prix. Skate America. Replay 1.50 Jeopardy! 3.55 WorldWatch. 4.25 PBS Washington Week. 4.50 Queer Sports. 5.45 Domino Masters 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 The UnXplained With William Shatner 10.10 WWE Legends.(Return) 11.45 Late Programs.
6am Morning Programs. 7.00 Goddess. (2013,PG) 8.55 Mr BlakeAtYour Service! (2023, French) 11.00 Maigret. (2022, M, French) 12.40pm AMermaid In Paris. (2020, M, French) 2.40 Viceroy’sHouse (2017,PG) 4.40 The Lunchbox. (2013,PG, Hindi) 6.40 Clue. (1985,PG) 8.30 Reservoir Dogs. (1992, MA15+) 10.20 AThousand Lines. (2022, M, German) 12.05am Late Programs.
6am Children’s Programs. 12.30pm Basketball. WNBL.Southside Flyers vAdelaide 2.30 Surfing Aust. 3.00 YoungSheldon. 4.00 MOVIE: Bean. (1997, PG) 5.45 MOVIE: Johnny English. (2003, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: Sherlock Holmes. (2009, M) 10.05 MOVIE: TheFast And TheFurious. (2001, M) 12.10am Gotham. 1.10 Arrow. 3.00 Teen Titans Go! 3.30 Beyblade X. 4.00 Bakugan 4.30 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Hook, Line And Sinker 1.30 Fish’n WithMates. 2.00 Merv Hughes Fishing. 2.30 Portland Charter Boat Wars 3.00 Fishing
6am MorningPrograms. 2pm Rugby League. 2019 Koori Knockout. Men’s Bunjalung BaygalWarriors vBourkeWarriors Replay 3.00 Rugby League.2019Koori Knockout. Men’s.Googarsv CastlereighAll Blacks. Replay 4.00 Araatika! Rise Up 5.40 Dizzy Gillespie In Studio 104 6.20 News. 6.30 Queer Sports. 7.00 Great LakesWild. 7.30 Our Law. 8.40 MOVIE: The Evers. (2020,M) 10.15 Late Programs. NITV (34) 6am Morning Programs. 10.30 DVine Living 11.00 IEscaped To The Country. Noon Escape To The Country 1.00 My Greek Odyssey 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi 2.30 Better Homes. 3.30 Cities Of The Underworld. 4.30 Steam Train Journeys. 5.30 IEscaped To The Country 6.30 Escape To The Country 7.30 Rosemary &Thyme 8.30 Vera 10.30 Extreme Railways. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am Skippy 6.30 Amazing Facts With Doug Batchelor 7.00 Invictus Games: Preview 8.00 Invictus Games: OpeningCeremony. 10.30 MOVIE: Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. (1966, PG) 12.20pm MOVIE: QuietWeekend. (1946) 2.15 MOVIE: Pacific Destiny.(1956) 4.15 MOVIE: Sabata. (1969, PG) 6.30 M*A*S*H. 8.30 MOVIE: Rambo: First Blood. (1982, M) 10.25 The Closer 11.25 Late Programs.
Monday,February 10
ABCTV (2)
6.25 Hard Quiz. (PG,R)
7.00 ABC News
7.30 7.30 Presented by Sarah Ferguson. 8.00 Australian Story. Presented by LeighSales.
8.30 Four Corners. Investigative journalism programexposingscandals, firing debate and confronting taboos.
7.35 Madrid WithMichael Portillo. Michael Portillo models capes
8.25 Wilderness WithSimon Reeve: Patagonia. Simon Reeve travels through wilderness of Patagonia, at the foot of the South American continent.
9.35 InsideSydneyAirport: Interrupted Journeys. (PGal,R) Friday is abusyday at the airport. 10.35 SBS WorldNews Late. 11.05 Wisting. (Return,Mal) 12.50 YouShall Not Lie. (MA15+als, R) 3.00 BarkleyManor.(R) 3.30 Inside The Modelling Agency. (PGln, R) 4.25 Peer To Peer.(PG, R) 4.55 Destination Flavour ChinaBitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.
6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home AndAway. (PGas) Justin fears that Lyrik is over.
7.30 Australian Idol. (PGal) As the auditions continue, more hopefuls strive to prove they havewhatittakes.
9.10 St. Denis Medical. (PGals) After Ronhexes the day to prove superstitions are not real, things at thehospital startgetting weird
10.10 FirstDates UK (PG) Singles experiencethe thrills of dating.
11.15 Lopez Vs.Lopez. (PGadls) Quinten missesout on apromotion.
7.30 MarriedAtFirstSight. (Mls) Intimacyweek gets underway. 9.00 Australian Crime Stories: TheInvestigators: StrikeForce Kindra. (Mdv) Retired Detective SuperintendentDeborah Wallace shares the story of StrikeForce Kindra. 10.00 9NewsLate 10.30 Forensics: Murder Scene:Pelm (MA15+alv)
11.30 FirstOnScene. (Man) 12.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 1.00 Hello SA (PG) 1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 GlobalShop (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Believer’sVoice Of Victory.(PGa) 4.30 A Current Affair.(R) 5.00 TodayEarly News 5.30 Today
IDreamOfJeannie. 3.00 The Golden Girls. 3.30 TheNanny 4.30 The Addams Family 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 IDream Of Jeannie. 6.00 The GoldenGirls. 6.30 TheNanny 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Exit Wounds. (2001, MA15+) 10.35 Seinfeld. 11.35 Late Programs. 6am Morning Programs. 1pm Motor Racing. Night Thunder.HighLimits World Tour 2.00 Towies. 3.00 Pre-Game Show 3.30 Cricket. SecondTest. Sri Lanka vAust. Morning. (Altschedule may be shown) 5.30 The LunchBreak. 6.10 Cricket. SecondTest. SriLanka vAust. Afternoon 8.10 SriLanka Vs Australia: Tea Break. 8.30 Cricket.Second Test. SriLanka vAust Late arvo 11.00 Late Programs.
6.00 Deal Or No Deal Hosted by GrantDenyer. 6.30 TheProject. Alookatthe day’snews. 7.30 I’mACelebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PGals) The celebritiescontinue to compete in atestofsurvival in the
Tuesday, February 11
ABC TV (2) SBS (3)
SEVEN (7,6)
NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Australian Story.(R) 10.30 Optics. (Ml, R) 11.00 Muster Dogs: ColliesAnd Kelpies. (R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (Ma, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Nigella Bites. (R) 3.25 Grand Designs. (R) 4.15 Long Lost Family (PG,R) 5.00 ABite To EatWithAlice. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)
8.00 Dr Karl’sHow ThingsWork: Cheese. (Final) Dr Karl Kruszelnicki learns how cheese is made.
8.30 EatThe Invaders:Deer. (Final, PG)HostedbyTony Armstrong. 9.00 Hippo Watch With Steve Backshall. (Final, PG, R) Presented by Steve Backshall. 9.45 Ningaloo Nyinggulu: Choices. (Final,R)
10.45 ABC Late News. 11.00 TheBusiness. (R) 11.15 Four Corners. (R) 12.00 Media Watch. (R) 12.20 Parliament QuestionTime 1.20 Grand Designs. (R) 2.10 Rage.(MA15+adhlnsv) 3.25 Parkinson In Australia. (PG, R) 4.30 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)
6am MorningPrograms. 11.05 Great Canal Journeys. (PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 ABC World News Tonight 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Such WasLife.(R) 2.10 History Of Britain. (PGal, R) 3.00 TheWeekly Football Wrap. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.40 The Cook Up.(R) 4.10 Britain’s Secret Islands. (PGav,R) 5.05 Jeopardy!(R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS WorldNews. 7.30 Who Do YouThink You Are? Melissa Doyle. (PG, R) 8.30 Pretty Baby: BrookeShields. (Malv) Charts BrookeShields’ life 9.45 TheArtist’sView:Van Halen. (Ml, R) ProfilesAmerican rock band VanHalen.
10.15 SBSWorld NewsLate 10.45 Beyond Signs (Final, MA15+av) 11.45 Fargo.(MA15+v,R) 1.30 BarkleyManor (PG, R) 2.00 Inside The ModellingAgency. (PG, R) 3.50 Bamay.(R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PG, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe WorldTonight
6.00 Sunrise 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 To Be Advised. 3.00 TheChase. (R) Hosted by Bradley Walsh. 4.00 SevenNews At 4. 5.00 To Be Advised.
6.00 SevenNews.
7.00 Home And Away (PG) Dana enlists help forher nextscheme.Leah plays with fire.Harper triestohideher feelings.
7.30 Australian Idol. (PG) As the auditions continue, morehopefuls strive to prove they havewhatittakes.
9.20 TheHuntingParty (M) The team tracks Clayton Jessup, aderanged killer who targets happy families. Bex learns who she can and cannot trust.
10.20 TheIrrational. (Mav) AWall Street rising star dies.
12.20 FridayNight Lights. (Madsv, R) Taylor tries to keep Matt and Julie apart.
7.30 MarriedAtFirstSight. (Mls) The husbands’ intimacy workshop gets derailed. 9.00 Madam. (MA15+ls) With afarmer conventionintown,The Sweethearts are readyfor business.
10.20 9News Late.
10.50 My Feet Are Killing Me. (Mm) Vincent fixes awoman’s foot. 11.40 TheEqualizer (Mv, R) 12.30 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
Our State On APlate. (PG, R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping (R)
TEN (10, 5)
Young artists making mark
By AIDAN KNIGHT
THE Gippsland Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) buzzed with creativity as young artists and makers from around the Latrobe Valleycongregated for Imagine &Bloom
In the performance on Thursday, January 16, presentedbyGPAC in collaborationwithRegional Arts Victoria, the town hall featured an artsmarket combined with live music and even some interactive workshops, run by headspace.
Aprogram aimed at youth aged 13 to 25, the diversity of disciples showcased live music provided by local acts; someexperienced their first performances at the event, playing both originals and contemporary covers with an acoustic spin. Stalls included handmade jewellery,crochet garments, framed poetry prints, and avariety of Indigenous art pieces. Showcasing the latter was Casey Sharman from Stingray Indigenous Arts & Jewelry,spruiking homemade wares from herself and sister Dyarni.
Anotherartist, local poet and Gippslandia contributor Darcy Stockdale, was very excited to havehis workondisplay, and for sale at the event.
“I’ve beenwriting poetryfor abouttwo yearsnow, but this is the first time I’ve tried selling original prints of my work,” he said.
Evolving his practice from aspokenword performance to amore physical, saleable product was a newventure for the young artist, and the event gavehim aplatformtotestthis out and gauge how art enthusiasts would respond to his new works.
On the music front, GPAC had programmed a line-up of chilled acoustic sets by aplethora of local artistsand student musicians -makingfor an even better school holiday activity for the younger half of the target demographic.
Forsome performers,this was their first time playinginfront of an audience.They delivered bothoriginal and well-known pieces, varying from The Cranberries to ChappellRoan,inan easy-listening, stripped back format that was both engaging for those wanting to be front of stage, without overpowering or taking away from the other more stationary artists within the hall.
Organisers hope that Imagine and Bloom will becomeanannual event, expanding opportunities for young creatives to thrive and fostering deeper connections betweenthe arts, local businesses, and the community.
If you’re ayoung artist between 13 and 25 and are interested in participating in future markets, keep an eye out for expressions of interest.
Imagine and Bloom may be the perfect stage to launch your creative journey.
Radio show ‘by youth, for youth’
COMMUNITY radio station Life FM Gippsland has created auniqueprogram, Youth On Beat: By Youth, For Youth,togive young people of the region the chance to share their voices, stories and creativity with the world.
The new initiativeisdesigned to train, equip, guide, and empower youth to create their own quality content, while amplifying the voices of diverse communities.
The vision for YouthOnBeat was born in 2020, when aSudanese elder from the Latrobe Valley reached out to Life FM, urging it to create aprogram whichwould help youthnavigate
the challenges of transitioning between ethnic cultures and modern Australian life.
Now, Youth On Beat is here to provide 13 to 18-year-olds in Gippsland aplatform to be heard, learn, and grow.
Whetherthey're interested in radio, music, interviews or storytelling, young peoplecan receive full support to create something truly unique.
Youth wanting to be part of something powerful can email gippsland@lifefm.com.au to express their interest and join the crew.
Grants available for talented youth
THE state government is investing in local creative talent and ideas by backing Victorian artiststodeliver new work, build their careers andexpandtheir audiences.
Acting Minister for CreativeIndustries, Natalie Hutchins announced the opening of applications for the Creative ProjectsFund, which supports Victorian artists,creative collectives and organisationstodevelop exciting new work and undertake professional development opportunities.
The 2025 round of the CreativeProjects Fund has two focus areas, offering pathways for both new and established practitioners to develop theircreative projects and careers.
The Uncovering Talent focus area provides grants of $5000tocreatives at any career level who haven’t receivedaCreative Victoriagrant before, while the projects focus area provides grants between $10,000 to $20,000 to creatives
who can display aproven track record. The last roundthe programsupported 126 creative projects involving more than 1500 professionals from awide range of disciplines including theatre, film, photography, literature, dance, podcasts, music, and fashion.
Previouslyfunded projects include developing an immersiveart walk eventalong the Boolarra Rail Trail.
Across all disciplines and sectors, Victoria’s creative industries employ more than 320,000 workersand contribute $40.5 billion to the Victorian economy.
Applications for the Creative Projects Fund are now open and will close at 3pm on Thursday, February 13.
For more information including eligibility or how to apply, visit:creative.vic.gov.au/ funding-opportunities
School road safety concerns highlighted
MEMBER for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina
Bath has writtentothe state government about school road safety concerns in the Traralgon CBD, following avisit froma local primary school student.
Ms Bath has subsequently written to the Minister for Local Government, Nick Staikos asking him to interveneand collaborate with LatrobeCity Council to implement better parking solutions around the schools within the CBD.
“Makinleevisited my office in mid-January with hermother Julie to ask for assistance to address her valid road safety concerns in the after school traffic congestion,” Ms Bath said.
“With thestart of the newschool year,she felt compelled to act to help improve student road safety before there is an accident.
“Makinlee clearly articulated the dangers involved with student pickups at the end of each school day as she attempts to navigate the traffic to reach her mother.
“We took awalk, and the numerous safety issues were highlighted including double parked cars and the lack of parking spaces in and around Grey Street.”
Ms Bath saidwithher officelocated closetoboth Traralgon’s CBD-based primaryschools,she is familiar with the extensive congestion at the end of each weekday.
“The situation is evidently stressful for children and their families,” Ms Bath said.
“A number of solutionspresented to me included expanding parking, improved signage, enhancing traffic management and more local laws enforcement officers.
“Improving road safety around our schools is vital, and Iamlooking forward to receiving apositive response from the Minister, so asafer and more efficient environment is achieved for our youngest citizens.
“I congratulate Makinlee for the exemplary leadership and maturity she demonstrated advocating for the safety and wellbeing of her peers.
“As the school year has commenced it is timely to remind all drivers to be aware of school zones, drive with care, park in designated parking zones only and always drive with patience in after school traffic.”
Creative: Gippslandartist CaseySharman, from StingrayIndigenous Arts &Jewellery. Photograph: Aidan Knight
The future: LifeFMGippsland has created aradio programfor the region’s youth, and is seeking peopletobeinvolved. Photograph supplied
Addressing theissue: YoungstudentMakinlee took herconcerns surroundingschool road safety in Traralgon to Member forEasternVictoria Region, MelinaBath(left). Photographs supplied
Seeing first-hand: Member forEasternVictoria Region, Melina Bath with Makinlee, mumJulie,and younger brother Bentlee
Bonus providing more for families
THE School Saving Bonus continues to provide cost-of-living relief to thousands of Victorian families, paying for uniforms, textbooks and activities ahead of the 2025 school year, according to the state government.
Deputy Premier and Education Minister, Ben Carroll said government school and eligible non-government school families could still spend their $400 bonus on items in the lead up to the start of Term 1and beyond.
The SchoolSaving Bonus can be used to buy school uniforms and textbooks or can go towards schoolactivities such as camps or excursions. Around 700,000 students statewide will benefit from the bonus.
More than 331,000 transactions have been processed, saving parents more than $80 million on back-to-school costs.
School uniforms have been the most popular item to use the bonus on, with more than $32 million spent so far. School activities werealso favoured with over $22 million allocated and nearly $26 million going towards textbooks.
Minister Carroll said it was great to see so many families benefitting from the bonus.
“This help means all kids can fully participate in school and get the most out of their time in and out of the classroom,” he said.
“I encourage families to usethe bonus so they can getmore moneybackintheirpocket for the start of the school year.”
The bonuscan be usedatsecond-hand uniform and textbook shops run by schools as well as approved suppliers.
Any unspent bonus money will automatically transferred to afamily’s school account once the uniform and textbook voucher period expires on June 30, with parents able to use the remaining funds on future school activities.
Any funds which remain unspent by the time astudentleaves the schoolcan be transferred to asibling at the school, or will be absorbed by the school to benefit other students.
Non-government schoolfamilieswho have a healthcare or concession cards are also eligible to receive the bonus.Theseschools decidehow to allocate the bonus to best accommodate the families in their communities.
Memberfor Eastern VictoriaRegion, Melina Bath said the bonus was causing headaches for regional schools, businesses and families.
Ms Bath said she had been contacted by parents and aschool principal speaking anonymously about the state government scheme. She said, despitethe governmentannouncing the bonus in July 2024, alackofdepartmental supporthad left schoolsscrambling to manage the funds when transferred.
“Parents are aggrieved that the scheme is inflexible as their local newsagent or shoe and uniform shop is not on the government’s preferred supplier list and they cannot use the bonus to pay for textbooks and uniforms locally,” Ms Bath said.
“There’s been little to no information given to regionalbusinesses about registering for the scheme-Labor’s focus is again on the headline, not the outcome.
“Schools are triaging dozens of calls daily from frustrated parents who understandably just want cost of living relief.
“The lack of planningand understanding by Labor in facilitating local procurement in the regions has left ourcountry schools,parents and suppliers bewildered.
“Labor’s made schoolslookunprofessional and unprepared, when it is not their fault.”
Celebrating wetland protection
LAST Sunday was World Wetlands Day.
West Gippsland Catchment Management
Authority is proud to celebrate the ongoing commitment to protectingworld renowned Corner Inlet RamsarWetland through itsCornerInlet Connections project.
Wetlands are amongthe world’smostproductive environments, and countless species of plants and animals depend on them for survival. This year’s themeis‘wetlands for our common future -value, protectand inspire’.
“Every day is wetlands day in West Gippsland, which is home to over1500wetlandsincluding 11 that are listed as nationally important under the Directory of Important Wetlands Australia,” West Gippsland CMA Chief Executive, Martin Fuller said.
As well as having cultural significance, wetlands act as the ‘kidneys of the catchment’ -protecting the environment by capturing and filtering water and actingasa natural spongetoabsorb, store and reduce flood levels. They provide essential habitat for wading and migratory birds and threatened species. It is also akey function of the CMA to restore andprotect wetlands across the region.
CornerInletRamsarWetland is arecognised
haven for migratory and resident shorebirds, and made up of extensive seagrass meadows, and unique intertidal mudflats and forests of white mangrove (Avicennia marina) -the world’s most southerly distribution of this species.
The project aims to reduce key threats and protect and enhance the valuesofCorner Inlet Wetland that is protected under the Convention on Wetlands declared in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.
Through this project, the CMA will work with Traditional Owners,partners,landholders and community to:
-Protect mudflat and saltmarsh communities through controllingthe high threat weedSpartina;
-Protect and enhancesaltmarsh communities through stock exclusion fencing, weed control and weed monitoring, and;
-Manage threats to shorebirds, like the Hooded Plover, through controlling pests.
In the firstyear of the five-year project, the CMA partnered with Parks Victoria,GLaWAC, Trust for Nature, and BirdLife Australia to achieve positive results includingtreating spartina, controlling foxestoprotect shorebirds, improvingwaterquality, and safeguarding 136 hectares of saltmarsh including a25hectare Trust for Nature covenant protectingthe area forever.
In total, weed control covered over the entire site of 67,000 hectares with 530 hectares of pest animal control and water monitoring will help measure results of the efforts across the broader catchment.
BirdLife Australiateams undertook seasonal shorebird counts and monitored the breeding success and health of key species of beach nesting birds such as Hooded Plovers, PiedOystercatchers and Crested, Caspian and Fairy terns.
“We are proudtobecontinuing the decades of work in Corner Inlet through understanding the threats we need to address to protect this significant wetland for our commonfuture,” Mr Fuller said.
This project is funded by the federal government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by West Gippsland CMA, amember of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
West Gippsland CMAisresponsiblefor more than 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the region and delivers programsfor healthy and resilient catchments.
All these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directlyinto Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.
Givingstudentshead start on scam prevention
AS students across Australiastart the new school year,Bendigo Bankhas expanded its Banking Safely Online programtosecondaryschoolsto help empower young digital citizens.
Specifically tailored to high schoolstudents,the face-to-face sessions cover how to identifyand avoidscams,spotfinancial fraud risks, and adopt securepractisesfor online banking transactions.
“Secondary school students face aflood of wouldbe scammers,fraud attempts and other potentially serious challenges online,” Bendigo Bank Senior Manager Customer Protection, Aaron Westberry said.
“The Banking Safely Online in Schools sessions are empowering, interactive and highly relevant for younger people.
“While highly tech savvy, more than $2 million has been lost to scammers by Australians under
18 since 2020, data from Scamwatch shows, and our younger customers have been asking how we can help.”
Online shopping and classifieds scams caused the highest financial losses for those aged under 18 last year, with social media, text message and emailsthe top contact methods usedbyscammers, Scamwatch found.
The bank’snational, face-to-faceeducation approachhas alreadyhelped thousands of customers safely navigate digital banking since the program was launched in 2023.
“Banking Safely Online is our flagship safety program, with more than 250 sessions held by branches for their customers and communities. Bringing this to schoolsacross Australia will help empower young digital citizens,” Mr Westberry said.
In the excitement of starting the new school year, Mr Westberry says it is vital to be aware of scammers usingincreasingly sophisticated tactics, and to be particularly alert to scammers capitalising on the back-to-school rush.
“Thisisanexciting, busy time of yearbut it’s important to never let the guard downagainst scammers who will be trying theirbest to catch out unsuspectingstudents and their families,” Mr Westberry said.
“Be wary of back to school promotions on social media, especially those that sound too good to be true. Don’t clickonlinks that you aren’t100 per cent sure about, and beware calls and texts from people you don’t know who are requesting information -itcould be aremote access scam.”
Advertising in the Express
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Asthma plan importance
ASTHMA Australia says an Asthma Action Plan is as essential as packing your kid’s school hat.
As Australianchildren return to school, Asthma Australiaisurgingparents to update their child’s Asthma Action Plan.
Just like packing aschool hat, this simple step helps ensure your child’s asthma is well-managed and helps teachers, coaches, and caregivers know exactly what to do if aflare-up occurs.
Asthma Australia Chief Executive, Kate Miranda said preparation was vital.
“Sending your child back to school without an updated written Asthma Action Plan is justlike sendingthem to play in the sun without ahat on,” she said.
“They are exposed. It’s one of those small but important steps to keep them protected -whether it’s from the sun’s rays or unexpected asthma flare-ups.
“The asthma burden on kids is significant. Fortytwo per cent of Australians aged 0–14 with asthma had to take time off school in 2014/15 due to their
asthma. About 26,500 children under 15 visited an ED for asthma in 2021/22.
“Making sure that our kids start the school year on the front foot is clearly important. So, as you tickoff the back-to-school checklist -hats,uniforms, lunchboxes -add an asthma refresh to the mix and bookanappointmentwithyour child’s doctorto update their Asthma Action Plan today.”
An Asthma Action Plan is apersonalised guide created by adoctor to manage your child’s asthma.
It’s like an instruction manual for asthma that outlines how to handle flare-ups, monitor symptoms, and provide appropriate treatment.
Regardlessofhow mild your child’s asthma may seem,everyone with asthma should have one.
“The goal of the Asthma Action Plan is to prevent and control asthma symptoms,” Ms Mirandasaid.
“Evenifyou know what to do when your child’s asthma flares up, it’s invaluabletohave clear, writteninstructions from your doctor, especially in an emergency situation.”
The plan covers four key areas:
How to look after your child’s asthma daily;
What to do if asthma starts to flare up;
What to do if asthma becomes severe, and;
What to do in an asthma emergency.
To help ensure your child’s asthma is wellmanaged as they returntoschool, Asthma Australiahas created achecklistfor parents. Steps include booking an asthma review, updating your child’s Asthma ActionPlan, checking and updating medicines, and connecting with the school.
For more information, visit Asthma Australia’s website to download an Asthma Action Plan template and access additional resources for managing asthma.
Asthma is aserious and common chronic disease, affecting around 386,000 children in Australiaabout two per classroom.
It is the leading causeofdisease burden in children under 15, with four in 10 missing school each year.
In 2021-22, atotal of 26,500 childrenrequired Emergency Department care for asthma.
Regional kindergartenfunding boosted
THE state government is helpingbusy families by securing the long-term future of small regional kindergartens, boosting funding for early learning facilities this year.
Minister for Children, Lizzie Blandthorn announced an increase to the annualbaseline funding for rural sessional kindergarten services by including thousands of dollars in Free Kinder funding for the first time.
Based on expected enrolment numbers for 2025, more than 60 regional kindergartens will receive increased funding -delivering almost $10 million in total for theseservices and making sure Victorians
get the best education, closer to home.
Eligible services will be funded the increased baseline equivalent to 18 enrolments, even if they have fewer children. Service providers will receive thefirst increased payment in Term 2automatically, based on their reported enrolments for the year.
This means Victoria’s smallest kindergartens will receive more than $132,000.
To be eligible, kindergartensmust be the only kinder provider in their regional town or local area and have fewer than 18 enrolments. The approach simplifies kindergarten funding for
service providers which can have higheroperating costs because of their regional location.
Thisyear the state government’s Free Kinder program willsavefamiliesupto$2627 per child at sessional kindergartens and up to $2101 per child at long daycare centres.
The state government is investing billions to build and expand hundreds of kindergartens across the state, supporting the delivery of 15 hours of threeyear-old kindergarteneach week by 2029 and up to 30 hours of pre-prep each week by 2036.
School speed zones now back in place
MOTORISTS are reminded of school speed zones, with students returning to the classroom after the summer school holidays.
Schoolspeedzoneswill be in operationfrom 8am to 9.30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm on weekdays from Wednesday, January 29 until the end of Term 1onFriday, March4
Motorists can expect an increase in road, pedestrian and bicycle traffic around schools, and near bus and tram stops, at drop-off and pick-up times.
Drivershavea responsibility to be especially cautious when travelling near schools, as younger children don’t have the same awareness of road safety as adults do and their behaviour may be unpredictable near roads.
School speed zones across the state operate in line with the government’s school calendar -some permanently, whileothers operate from 8am to 9.30am, and from 2.30pm to 4pm on weekdays.
School speed zones are designed to keep pedestrians safe by lowering the speed limit at peak times when children are travellingtoand from school. Regardless of whether aschool is open or closed, or has astudent-freeday,all sign-posted speed reductions will still apply.
Real-time traffic conditions are available at: traffic.transport.vic.gov.au
Prepared: As kids go backtoschool, it is vital parents knowtheir child’sasthma plan
MONDAY3 FEBRUARY
Spencer Atherton turns 10
Callum Hosking turns 9
Harvey Christou turns 7
Armani Isles turns 2
Tyler Mastwyk turns 13
Dustin Sim turns 8
Zoe O’Rourke turns 7
TUESDAY4FEBRUARY
SATURDAY8FEBRUARY
Milla Mahoney turns 11
SUNDAY9 FEBRUARY
Willow Dunn turns 12
Boston Shaw turns 9
Xavier Mizzi turns 12
Kiralee Haddock turns 12
Oakley Gaw turns 4
THURSDAY6FEBRUARY
Summah Longson turns 9
Photograph: iStock
Luca AngeloDeSalvo, born December 18,2024 at Latrobe RegionalHospital to proud parents Angelo De Salvo andStephanie MaherofTraralgon. Abrother for Sebastian,Logan,and Mackenzie
A lesson for everyone: Gurdies fire
By KATRINA BRANDON
FIRESare aconstant dangerinand aroundthe Latrobe Valley, and the experiences of aman from the nearby Gurdies offers an object lesson:Stay informed, watch and act.
AGurdies local, Glenn Skrobalak, stayed home when the Gurdies fire was on his doorstep on December 20, 2024. Despite neighbours and others in the area being told to evacuate, Mr Skrobalak decided to stay, only later to regret it.
"My initial thought was to stay and defend the property and Iprobably regret that now, seeing how severe it was and how fast it came. Idon't think I would be doing that again," he said.
"I thought Iwas well and truly capable having been in other high-pressure situationsand handled them well, but this was totally different.I was just exhausted. Ican work all day outside, but seven minutes of that Ihad well and truly had enough." It was at that point Corinella CFA Captain David Cox and Kernot-Grantville CFA Lieutenant Andrew Blackney were drivingpast,aspartofthe fire response at the time.
Despite not having atruck, Mr Cox saw Mr Skrobalak standing in his property "looking panicked" and jumped in to help.
"We could see Glenn just standing out there by himself, we couldsee the panic starting to come and Isaid, 'we have to go and help him', "he said. "Anyone out there that day wouldhave done the same thing. It's just our instinct."
Mr Coxapproached Mr Skrobalak,and using Mr Skrobalak's fire pump and hose, got to work fighting off spot fires and defending the property.
Both Mr Skrobalak and Mr Cox said this highlighted the importance of listening to advice.
"We would rather people are not there (as) it does hinder our firefighting abilities," Mr Cox said.
"Things can be replaced but imaginenever getting to hug your lovedones again, imagine never being able to seethem again.”
Mr Skrobalak said he was extremelygrateful
for the work of Mr Cox and the other firefighters that day.
"Don't stay, it's not worth it," Mr Skrobalak said.
"Take off and you can hope for the best but at least you will be safe."
Recently, therehas beenrecorded fires in Mirboo
North,Churchill, Flynn, Carrajung, Erica, and Yarragon, with warnings in Yallourn North and Driffield.
TakingtoFacebook, the Morwell Fire Brigade shared apost by Deputy Chief Officer, Country Fire Authority (CFA) East Region, Trevor Owen, that their brigade and many others have already attended numerous grass and scrub fires.
DCO Owen said that the consistent warm days with moderate winds combined with minimal rainfallhad rapidly increased the grassfire risk across much of the state.
"Grassland fuelsinCFA South East Region, particularly in the Mornington Peninsula,Bass Coast,Baw Baw, Casey, Cardinia, Latrobe, South Gippsland and Wellington areas are the driest they have been for the past five years," he said.
"Good work by brigades and partner fireagencies who have responded quickly, supported with firefighting aircraft have kept grassfiresonprivate property to five to 10 hectares in most cases. However, as every day now passes and temperaturesincreasewithout significant rainfall, quick containment of new fires is becoming more difficult
"It is important to monitor the conditionsand prevent fires from starting as the bush and grass fire risk increases, mindful we are not even at the halfway point of the season."
Authoritieshavesaidthat on aCatastrophic day, leaving high risk bushfire areas the night before or earlyinthe morning is the safestoption, as well as going to afamily or friends place in alow fire-risk area, and to plan your route and ensure your vehicle has enough fuel.
For more informationonbushfire preparedness, go to:cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/ before-and-during-a-fire/leave-early
Another award forCowes CulturalCentre
By PHILIP HOPKINS
BERNINNEIT, the Cowes Cultural Centre, whose internal design is dominated by Gippsland native hardwood timber,has won yetanother award -the Public Buildingcategory in the 2024 Sustainability Awards.
The building defeated entriesfrom theCityof Sydney,upgradestoRedfern station,the Northcote Aquaticsand Recreation Centre, and an animal rehoming centre in Blacktown.
The Sustainability Awards are described as Australia’s longest running and most prestigious award program dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating excellence in sustainable designand architecture.
‘Berninneit’ -‘gatheringtogether’ in the Boon Wurrung Indigenous language -encompasses a 260-seat performing arts theatre, acinema, gallery, library, historical museum, events spaces and community meeting rooms.
Sitting at the heart of it is glue-laminatedtimber (Masslam) -hugebeams 5.9 metres long and columns4.2mhigh, all 42 centimetres wide- from Australian Sustainable Hardwoods at Heyfield.
There were more than 250 entries submitted to the 2024 awards from all across Australia.
This was the fifth award for the building, following:
-The 2024 National Architecture Award for Public Architecture;
-TheWilliamWardell Award for Public Architecture Awards at the 2024 Victorian Architecture Awards and was shortlisted in three other categories: regional architecture, sustainable architecture and interior architecture;
-An Excellence in Geographic Place Naming award at the 2024 Victorian Geospatial Excellence awards, giventoBassCoast Shire Council and the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, and;
-TheAustralian Interior Design Award for Public Design.
Masslam 45 is the proprietary strength of ASH’s uniquely strong hardwood glulam.
“Vic Ash glulam timber is the essential structural element for the building,”Thom McCarthy, an interior designer with Jackson Clements Burrows, the project architects and designers,told the Express last year.
“They formed the Grand Hall, the spine of the building connected to all the rooms -the artistic andlibrary at eachend, and the function rooms
in the centre. They were the three major tenants of the community facility.
“Glulam columns are very striking; we have had tremendous experience with them in student residential projects.Wewere keen to express them as muchaspossible.Theyformed alot of the internal pallet, and at the library end.”
The award for Berninneit was one of three won by
Jackson Clements Burrows, who won ‘Best of the Best’ and the award for commercial architecture for its T3 commercial building in Collingwood. ASH’s Masslam was also extensively used in the T3 building. Design work on Berninneit began in 2015. Several schemesfollowed beforeJackson ClementsBurrows took on the job in 2020.
Accolades: Berninneit on Phillip Island hasnow received five awards
Photographs: Bass Coast ShireCouncil
Grateful: Gurdies localGlennSkrobalak wassaved by Corinella CFACaptain, David Cox
Photograph supplied
Impressive: Timber work inside Berninneit.
By MARK POYNTER
IN 1890, noted bushman and early explorer, Alfred Howitt,recounted his observations of the changing nature of eastern Victoria’s eucalypt foreststothe Royal Society of Victoria.
He noted that before the mid-1860s, theseforests had been regularly “burnt off by aborigines, either incidentally or intentionally. Theseannual bushfires tended to keep the forests open, and to prevent them from being overgrown, for they not only consumed muchof the standing or fallen timber, but in a great measure destroyed the seedlings thathad sprungupsince former conflagrations”.
In just 25 years, the beginnings of European settlement -including cattle and sheep grazing -had largely overturned this delicate balance. Regular burning declined as Indigenouscommunities were displaced and as the new settlers sought “to lessen and keep within bounds bushfires which might otherwisebevery destructive to their improvements”.
According to Mr Howitt, the reduced annualburning allowedforeststo quickly became choked with small trees and scrubby understories,thereby making them moreflammable. When summer bushfires inevitably occurred, they burnedwith agreater and more damaging ferocity than before.
Howitt’s observations of regularly fired and more open pre-European forests aligned with similaraccounts from explorers and early settlers elsewhere in Australia. In 2011, the publication of Bill Gammage’s book, The Biggest Estate on Earth,strengthened aconsensus that Indigenous burning, in conjunction with fires naturally ignited by lightning, maintained most of Australia’s preEuropean forests in afar more open and less flammable condition than they are today.
There are exceptions to this general rule, such as the tall, ash-type eucalyptforests growing on the wettest parts of the southern ranges. They were reportedly just as dense before European settlement as they are today. Beinginherently wet,they were far less affected by indigenous burning or lightning-ignited fires.
However, they would periodically dry-out during prolongeddroughts and could then burn with aferocity thatwould generally kill mosttrees and stimulate areplacement regrowth event. Aware of such relativelyminor exceptions, Australia’s land managers
Burning ahead of another disaster
landscapes during pre-European times, and that it was generally of moderate to low intensity because its frequency generally prevented the build-upof heavy fuel loads.
After tens of thousands of years of indigenous occupancy, all but the wettest Australian forests and woodlandshad become adapted to regular, relatively low impact fire. In southern Australia, the premise of approximating nature by maintaining low fuel loads has, since the 1950s, underpinned organised forest fire management based around fuel reduction burning undertaken during cooler seasons either side of summer.
Whiletheseburns can replicate the low to moderate fuelstate to whichmost forests and their ecology are naturally adapted, the necessity to control them due to neighbouring property and safety concerns makes it nigh-on impossible to match the full extent of annual preEuropean burning.
Despite this, if there is sufficient annuallyfuel reduced area, it can lessen the extent and environmental impact of most summer wildfires by both reducing their intensity and making them easier and quicker to control.
In view of this, one would expect support for fuel reduction burning to be high among Australian ecologists, but recent public commentary by some academics suggests otherwise. For several years now,academics DavidLindenmayer and PhilZylstra,havestrongly advocated the cessation of fuel reduction burning in lieu of leaving southern Australian forests unburnt indefinitely.
According to their theory, long unburnt forests will naturally evolve into alowflammable state, thereby removing the need forfuel reduction burning which they claim to be increasing, rather than mitigating, the bushfire threat.
More recently, senior ecologist Don Driscoll added his voice to the anti-fuel reduction burning chorus based on research showing that previously burnt forests suffer worse ecological impacts (compared to longunburntforests) when subject to major wildfires.
In arecent article on The Conversation website promoting this research, Driscoll noted that: “Clearly, fire management and policy needs abig rethink Alternative approaches to large-scale prescribed burning are required”.
Given that Driscoll’s research involved more than 120 co-contributors, it maybe reasonable to conclude that his views on fire management are widespread within the fraternity of ecology academics.
The opposition to fuel reduction burning beingled by someofthese ecologists, represents an astounding denial of the historical record of past fire and how it has shaped Australia’s forested ecosystems. Further, the published ecological research papers collectively advocating a no-burning fire management approach, displays adisturbing lack of practical understanding and experience of both fuel reduction burning and wildfire suppression,exemplifiedbymisconceptions such as:
-Assuming that all forest types are targeted for fuel reductionburning when there are significant areas that are not
-An unjustifiable extrapolation of the fuel and fire characteristics of non-fuelreducedwet forests which rarely burn, to drier forest types that are naturally adapted to more frequent fire;
-A tendency to imply that there is no differencebetweenthe environmental impacts inflicted by unplanned summer bushfires under hot, dry conditions and those of planned low intensity burning undertaken in mild autumnorspring conditions;
-Condemning fuel reduction burning as being responsible for severe biodiversity impacts in theabsence of any direct comparison against the biodiversity impacts associated with heavy fuel build-up in long unburnt forests, and especially after such forests have been subjected to ahot summer wildfire;
-A lauding of indigenous cultural burning over conventional fuel reduction burning without acknowledgingthat bothmethods are basedonthe same principle of using low intensity fire during cooler times of the year;
-A context-free faith in small scale indigenous cultural burning (Driscoll refers to it as ‘right-way burning’) as asuperior alternative to conventional broadscalefuel reduction burning despite it being more responsive to the huge scale of Australia’s forests and the bushfire threat;
-Advocacy of ashift to amore streamlined‘wildfire responseonly’fire management regimebased on unproven technology and ademonstrably poor understanding of the requirements for effective wildfire suppression, including misconceptions about the respectiveimportanceofaerialand ground-based fire-fighting operations on the containment and control of remote area wildfires;
-A greater reliance on theoretical modelling over real world observations in relation to forest fuel build-up and fire behaviour, and;
-A lackofacknowledgement of the 60-plus years of applied and academic fire research, practicaloperaexperience and observation that
underpins conventionalfuelreduction burning practice and effectiveness in mitigating the wildfire threat.
Scienceisacontestofideas
Traditionally, the contestplayedout in the background where conceptual or factual research flaws were debated and, if necessary, rejected on the way to shaping ascientific consensus to inform sensible government policy.
Nowadays, the publication of scientific research papers about trendy environmental causes is often apublic spectacle, promoted by its authors and eagerly appropriated by lobby groups to help push eco-activist agendas.
If such papers have conceptual and factual flaws, they are simply overlooked in the rush to publicise and shape their findings into an influential but superficial message; and by the time these errors are unearthed, the minds of the interested public and politicians have already been made-up.
Thissomewhat exemplifiesthe course of ecologically-basedoppositiontofuel reduction burning whereby media outlets - ABC, The Guardian, The Age, and SMH -seemingly in thrall of the academic credentialsofhigh-profile ecologists, are eager to promote any of their commentary, especially if it advances an anti-forestry ideology.
The question of whether these ecologists have the real-life fire management expertise to credibly recommend overhauling time-worn land management paradigms and practices, is seemingly never even considered.
Given the reach and influence of massmedia, this creates astrong prospect of non-experts inordinately shaping political decision-making on how to manage the forest fire threat, which is scary given fire’s potential to disastrously affect rural Australia and its inhabitants.
the basis of expert advice, reiterated support for fuel reduction burning and recommended far more of it to optimise its benefit.
This includes the 2009 Victorian BushfiresRoyal Commission (following the ‘Black Saturday’ disaster) which recommended atriplingofthe state’s annual fuel reduction burning program to five per cent per annum of the public forest estate. This recommendation was inspired by the example of Western Australia’s southernforests which had, until then, avoided large, damaging forest fires for around 50 years by fuel reducing at least six per cent of their area per annum.
Unfortunately for Victoria, the newly elected Andrews Labor government quietly dropped its commitment to more fuel reduction burning in 2014, and the annualrate hashovered for the lastdecadeatjust 1.5per cent of public forest per annum -asithad done prior to Black Saturday.The result of this is evident in more common large campaign fires.
Perhaps of greater relevance to those advocating a‘no-burning’ fire management approach, is the American experience where, after afierce political debate, the US Forest Service adopted the so-called ‘Smoky Bear’ policy in the mid-1920s. Under this policy, no ‘light burning’ (ie. fuel reduction) was permitted in the forests,and any wildfires were to be immediately extinguished.
Thisisessentially what Australia’s anti-burning ecologists and like-minded eco-activists are campaigning for. However, as the years passed, it become abundantlyclear that the consequences of the ‘Smoky Bear’ policy was disastrous as wildfiresignited in the heavy fuels of long-unburnt forests and soongrewinto large, high-intensityconflagrations that are exceedinglydamaging and virtually impossible to control without the intervention of significant rain. This remains the case despite the hightech fire-fighting methodsnow available. These days there is little formal support for the policy of total fire exclusion, and efforts are being made throughout the USA to reintroduce fuel reduction burning to mimic the former light burning culture of the Native Americans.
In an ideal world, these ecologists and their media boosters would be more aware of and respectful of the many past Australian bushfire inquiries, including Royal Commissionsfrom as far back as 1939.Consistentlythese have on
While Australia’s anti-burning ecologists seem to be in denial about the past history of fire-adapted forests and are clearly determined to ignore the expertiseofa century of public land forest and fire management, they could learn much from the abject failure of the ‘no-burn’ fire exclusion proposal that was previously introduced in the USA. If they remain unmoved in their support for a‘no-burning’fire management approach, they are effectively, albeit inadvertently, advocating ecological destruction of Australian forests. MarkPoynter, aprofessional forester with 40 years’ experience, previously worked in East Gippsland. He is aFellowofthe Institute of Foresters of Australia (now Forestry Australia) and his book, 'Going Green: Forests, fire, and aflawedconservation culture',was published by Connor Court in July 2018.
Biggerpicture: MarkPoynter believesplanned burningisessential to reducing the chanceoflarge-scale bushfires
In the know: MarkPoynter has 40 years’ experience in forestry. Photographs supplied
NUGGIES Roofing and Plumbing
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Based in the Latrobe Valley, the team at Nuggies can re-roof your house and provide general plumbing around the Latrobe Valley and beyond.
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The team at Nuggies has a wealth of knowledge and expertise and areabletoget the job done on time
Theypride themselveson delivering topqualityroofing and plumbing services and include the supplyoftheir ownhandrail, scaffold and safetyharnesses to ensurethe safetyoftheir team
EARLY model Suzuki diffs and transfer case $150. Kawasaki generator, $100. Bosch jackhammer, $90. Stihl MS271 chainsaw -nearly new $1000. Moe. Ph 0459 461 211
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51 Hampton Street. Saturday and Sunday. 8am-2pm. Tools, furniture, lawn mowers, plants, boat, bric-a-brac, everything must go!
Clingstone, fresh from Goulburn Valley. Also pears. Due for Sale late Feb. Peaches 10kg, $35. 20kg $60. Pears 10kg, $30. 20kg, $50. Ph now to place your order 0417 276 958 or 0400 950 407.
DIAMOND RING
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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
Would
Adult deliverers also welcome
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Responsibility PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD
BRIGHT (M oo re), Yvonne Carmel. 3/6/1933 -2/2/2025 Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.
Aged 91 years
Beloved wife of Gerald (dec.).
Devoted mother and mother-in-law of Cheryl and Phillip, Peter, Gary (dec.) and loving friend of Maria.
Proud Nana of Jakob and Georgina, Kristy, Brendan and Dylan and their partners, Amber, Frank, Lou, and Teika. Great Nana of Archie and Isabella, Nicholas and Stephanie. Dearly Lovedand Sadly Missed Forever In Our Hearts Privately Cremated.
BUY LOCAL,SHOP LOCAL and HELP LATROBE VALLEY GROW
we assume no liability forsuch omission.
HOUSEKEEPING SERVICE ATTENDANT
We are looking for amotivated individual to join the Team at Farnham Court Motel Morwell.
● Position is casual
● Mainly Weekday work available (occasional weekend)
● Shifts are generally 8.30am to 12.00 midday (sometimes longer)
● Applicants need to be fit and able to bend and lift easily
● Applicants need to be comfortable working with cleaning chemicals
● Applicants need to be happy to work in ateam and follow instruction
● This role will mainly be working in Bathrooms and Toilets
● Would suit those looking to work in an organised, safe, and structured environment
● Wage is Casual Award Wage Rate plus Superannuation Applicants can apply by sending an Introductory email and resume to hello@farnhamcourt.com.au or in person by delivering aresume to Farnham Court Motel Reception.
Contribute to a brighter future for the whole community
COLLINS, Robyn (Bobbi). Passed away 26/1/2025. Aged 55 years Loving mother of Jacob, Hannah and Hayley. Loving grandmother to Wyatt. Sister of Deb, Kim (dec.) and Jacqui. Sister-in-law to Plute and Michael. Special friend to Josh. Forever in our hearts
Tender opportunity: CommunityLed Integrated Health Careprogram
Gippsland PHN intends to release a new public tender seeking one or more providers to deliver Community Led Integrated Health Care services to communities in Gippsland from 1 May 2025 to 30 June 2026 subject to the provision of ongoing funding There may be the option to extend the contract for a further year pending ongoing funding and at the sole discretion of Gippsland PHN
The tender is seeking innovative models of care from primary health allied health and social wellbeing service providers to deliver the codesigned model/s Innovative approaches to service delivery are encouraged including in-reach and outreach services collaboration and partnerships and/or utilisation of telehealth and care coordination to deliver the model
The public tender is intended to be released via TenderLink on Monday 17 February 2025 and will close at 5pm on Friday 21 March 2025
The total budget for this procurement is up to approximately $400k ex-GST The contract is expected to be awarded in early May 2025
A pre-procurement online briefing will be held: 6 February 2025, at 10am 6 February 2025, at 5:30pm 13 February 2025 at 2pm 13 February 2025 at 5:30pm
Find more information or register at: www gphn org au/procurement-and-tendering/ commissioning-opportunities/
A public in-procurement Tenderer Information Session will be held online at 2pm on Tuesday, 25 February 2025 via Zoom Interested parties can register for the session: https://us02web zoom us/meeting/register/ bDdKpZpuRIiva40XEZej6g
To register with TenderLink and submit your application follow the link: portal tenderlink com/gphn/ For more information please email: Procurement@gphn org
COWLEY, Grant Maurice. Born October 2, 1941. Passed away January 30, 2025. Aged 83 Years Passed at LRH Traralgon. It breaks our hearts to announce the unexpected death of Grant. Awonderful husband to Dawn, acherished and loving Dad to Amanda and Mark, Lisa and Graham, and Grant (dec.). Aproud and much-loved Pop to Georgia, Jarrod, Jack, Samara, Brody and Max. He was atrue gentleman and will be lovingly remembered always and forever in our hearts -His devoted family
COWLEY, Grant. All members of the Moe/ Newborough Keen-Agers Table Tennis Club Inc. are saddened by the sudden passing of one of the club's Life Members, Grant. Throughout the years Grant's contribution to the club has been outstanding. Our deepest sympathy to Dawn, family and friends.
DE VIRGILIO, Giacomo (Jac). Passed away at Latrobe Regional Health Traralgon after along battle, surrounded by our loving family members and friends on January 29th, 2025. Aged 68 years
Dearly loved and loving husband of Anita. Much loved and adored father of Adriano (dec.) and Talia.
HOURIGAN, Pamela Mary. 30/4/1943 -26/1/2025. Beloved wife of Brian (dec). Loved mother and mother-in-law to her sons and their partners. Peter and Helen, Simon and Alison, Andrew, Martyn (dec.), and James and Mandy. Adored grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchild. You will always be in our hearts Rest in peace mum Pamela's Service was livestreamed on Tuesday 4February 2025. To view the livestream please visit our website: latrobevalley funerals.com.au
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
HOURIGAN (nee Hodgson), Pamela Mary. Aged 81 years. Passed away peacefully at BUPA Traralgon on 26/1/2025. Loved daughter of Kathleen and George Hodgson (both dec.) and brother of Gavan. Now at rest. No more pain
Resting peacefully. Reunited with her much loved parents, partner and siblings. Cherished daughter to Peterand Margaret Lambe (both dec.).
Loving sister and sisterin-law to Michael (dec.) and Cathy, Bernadette (dec.) and Nick, Peter (dec.), Paul, Margaret and Pedro. Aunty to many nieces and nephews. Long term partner and best friend of 28 years to Nick Di Ceiro (dec.).
Proud mother and mother-in-law to Michelle and Brendan, Lee and Becky, and John. Much loved Nanny to Brendan, Chelsey, Ashton and Bobby. Lifelong mate to Peter.
Lifelong cherished friend to Barb.
Special friend to Kerry, Shell, Sharon, Cathy, Rosie and many others.
MASTWYK, Paul Francis. Passed away peacefully at Wantirna Hospital on Thursday 30 January 2025. Aged 68 years
Loved son of Martin and Carmel. Much loved brother of Mark, John, and Brendan. Cherished uncle of Kellie, Mike and Laura, Martin, Stacey, Timothy, James and Stephanie, and Olivia and Liam.
"The courage of life is often aless dramatic spectacle than the courage of afinal moment; but it is no less amagnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy." -JFK
In our hearts you will stay Loved and remembered each day Rest easy Pauly
MCEACHEN, Peter.
Passed away 31st January 2025, aged 70 years. Loving partner of Carolyn and father to Stephanie and Michael. Brother to Jeff and Ken. Much loved.
MONTANO, Rosa. (nee Santomassimo).
Passed away peacefully with family by her side on Saturday 1st February 2025. Aged 95 years
Loved and loving wife of Antonio (dec.).
Dearly loved mamma of Nina, Caterina, John, Pauline, Natalie and Nick.
Loved and respected mother-in-law of Helen.
Cherished Nonna to her 6 grandchildren Gianni, Irene, Luca, Antonio, Monica and Dante
In God'scare you rest above, in our hearts you rest with love
MURPHY (née Hourigan), Anne Josephine. 26/2/1961 -27/1/2025.
Aged 63 years
Dearly loved wife of Michael. Much loved Mum of Erin, Darcy and Ryan. Cherished mother-in-law to Grant, JR and Jaimee.
Adored Grandma to Jake, Bridie, Jordyn, Isla, Aurora, Reuben, Eli and Lyla.
Awonderful person, so loving and kind, What beautiful memories you left behind.
Sharing and caring, always content.
Loved and respected wherever you went.
MURPHY, Anne.
Deaths
WRIGHT, Raymond Ernest (Rusty). Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Dalkeith Gardens Wednesday 29th January 2025. Aged 84 years Loved and loving husband of Brenda.
Loved and respected father and father-in-law of Jennifer and Rodney, Heather and Steve and Fiona (dec.) and Paul.
Cherished Grandpop of ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Loving brother of Fred, Don, Max, Barry, Kelvyn, Neville, Geoff, Wendy and Wayne.
Loving brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend.
Precious memories of you will last forever
WRIGHT, Harry. With the heaviest of hearts, we sadly say farewell to our beloved Hero, who was wrongfully taken from us before his time, on Thursday 30th January 2025. At aged 91 years, he was aloving husband of Diana (dec.), acherished Dad of Karen, Martin (dec.) and Kerry, and father-in-law to Bob, Sue and Teena.
Yourgrandchildren, great-grandchildren and girls (fur babies) will miss you dearly and keep memories of you close to their hearts.
Forever loved and always remembered as agentle, cheeky, friendly and wellrespected soul by all.
COLLINS. The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Bobbi Collins will take place in the Rose Chapel at Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon on WED NESDAY (5 February 2025) commencing at 2pm.
COWLEY. The Funeral Service for Mr Grant Cowley will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Avenue Moe on MONDAY (February 10th, 2025) commencing at 2pm. The funeral will leave at the conclusion of the service for the Yallourn Cemetery. Grant's service will also be livestreamed. To view the live stream please visit latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming
5126 1111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
De VIRGILIO. The funeral service for Mr Giacomo (Jack) De Virgilio will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 6Ollerton Ave, Newborough WEDNESDAY (5th February 2025) commencing at 1.30pm. The funeral will leave at the conclusion of the service for the Moe cemetery. Jack's service will also be live streamed. To view the live stream please visit: latrobevalley funerals.com.au and click on livestreaming.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON
MOE 5126 1111
Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
MASTWYK. The Funeral of Mr Paul Francis Mastwyk will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy Traralgon THURSDAY (6th February, 2025) commencing at 11am.
At the conclusion of the Service the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon. Paul's service will be livestreamed. To view the livestream, please visit our website.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
MCEACHEN.
The funeral service for Mr Peter McEachen will be held at The Rose Chapel, Gippsland Memorial Park, Traralgon on THURSDAY (13 February 2025) at 1pm. Peter Murray Funerals East Gippsland 5152 4596
MONTANO.
ARequiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Mrs Rosa Montano will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 262 Commercial Road, Morwell on WEDNESDAY (February 12, 2025) commencing at 11.30am. Following Mass, the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park, Cemetery Dr., Traralgon. Rosary will be recited at the above church, prior to the service, commencing at 11am.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON
MORWELL 5134 4937
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WRIGHT. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mr. Harry Wright will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 347A Princes Dr., Morwell MONDAY (10 February, 2025) commencing at 11am.
Harry's service will be livestreamed. To view the livestream, visit our website.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON
MORWELL 5134 4937 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
PACUNSKIS, Peter. 10/6/1955 -9/2/2023. Remembering you every day is easy but the sadness we feel not having you with us, never leaves. Forevermissedand loved, Inta and family.
PACUNSKIS, Peter. 9/2/2023. Two years and Imiss you and love you so much. They say that time heals a broken heart, but that's not true. Love Mum.
The Traralgon Neighbourhood Learning House are saddened by the sudden passing of Anne Murphy, avalued member of our committee. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Anne's family. Anne, will be missed in our TNLH and wider community. Rest peacefully Anne WRIGHT, HARRY. It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that the Board of Directors, Staff and Members of the Morwell Bowling Club regret the sudden passing of long-term member Harry Wright who passed away Thursday 30th January 2025. Harry was agentle soul, who volunteered at the club for over 25 years. Despite the tragic way his life ended, he would want everyone to celebrate his life, just like he did. This day equally allows us the opportunity to reflect on the fabulous person we were lucky enough to have known and work beside.
TURNBULL, Ted. Passed away at Baw Baw Views, surrounded by his loving family, on 26/1/2025. Loved husband of Carol (dec.). Father and father-in-law of Robyn and Steve, Kim and Tim. Proud and adored Pop of Riley, Erin and Shea. Will be deeply missed and loved forever
Sincerest thoughts and deepest sympathy to his family and friends at this sad time.
WUFFLERS, June. It was with asad heart that we learnt of the passing of June Wufflers. June was aFoundation Member of our Probus club and amember for 29 years. The President and members of Probus Newborough extend their condolences to June's family.
ICKOV. The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Gospava Ickov will take place at the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, North Rd, Yallourn North, THURSDAY (6 February 2025) commencing at 11am. Immediately following, the Burial will take place at Yallourn Cemetery, Haunted Hills Road, Yallourn. Concluding with refreshments at the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church.
MARRIOTT. The Funeral Service and Committal for Cremation for Mrs Therese Mary Marriott will be held at the Gippsland Memorial Park -Rose Chapel, Cemetery Drive, Traralgon on FRIDAY (7 February 2025) commencing at 11am.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON
TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
MURPHY. APrayer Service for the repose of the soul of Mrs Anne Murphy will be offered at St Michael's Catholic Church, Church St Traralgon on MONDAY (10 February 2025) at 1.30 pm. To celebrate Anne's life the family has requested that people please wear colour to the Service. This Service will be livestreamed. Please visit our website for details: latrobevalley funerals.com.au
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
TURNBULL, Ted. Family and friends are invited to 'Beer o'clock' (Ted's shout), SUNDAY (16 February 2025) at 1pm at YYNFNC Social rooms, George Bates Reserve, Howlett Road, Yallourn North.
WRIGHT. The Funeral of Mr Raymond Ernest Wright will be held at Latrobe Valley Funeral Services Chapel, 260 Princes Hwy, Traralgon WEDNESDAY (February 5, 2025) commencing at 10.30am.
MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON TRARALGON 5174 2258 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au
LATROBE VALLEY FUNERAL SERVICES
WRIGHT, Harry. Thank you for you friendship and cups of tea over the past four decades. When Iwished you agood trip acouple of days ago we never expected your last trip to be so awful. Will miss you Rest In Peace Norma T. Family owned and locally based Funeral Directors
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Vic Countryprospects take to Morwell
FOOTBALL
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
VICTORIA Country held its second training camp of the early football season in Morwell recently.
AFLWunder the microscope
FOOTBALL
THE state government is partnering with the AFL to deliver afirst of its kind Australian study examining the impacts of concussion experienced by AFLW players.
Minister for Health, Mary-AnneThomas has announced details of anew research project, which seekstoexplore factors associated with honest reporting and disclosure of concussion symptoms post-injury, and how this might differ between sex and gender.
The project is thefirst of itskind in Australia and will inform concussion education for players and coaches in the future to improve safety.
“There’sgrowing awareness of the potential long-term consequences of concussion, but relativelylittleresearch has looked specifically at the experienceoffemale athletes -we’re changing that,” Thomas said.
“This research will be vital to improving prevention, treatment and management of concussion and we’re proud to partner with the AFL on this important work.”
While there is growing awareness of concussion management and the potential long-term consequences, muchofthe researchtodate hasfocused on the experience of football and sporting participants in general, without examining gender-based discrepancies, despite the growing participation rates of women in sport.
As part of this new study, researchers will speak to both community and eliteadult players to better understand how existing policies and guidelinesfor concussion, including recent changes to the guidelines for the 2024 season are applied. They will alsoconsider whether barriers existthatmay prevent safepracticesfrom being adopted, includingwhether experiences differ for men and women.
The research is expected to inform future innovations to improve player safety.
It follows the implementation of the AFLW’s ‘Prep to Play’ coaching manual, which is currently being evaluated by La Trobe University. This project willbedeliveredthrough athree-way partnership between the Department of Health, AFL and La Trobe University.
Findings fromthe new research project, Eliteand community AFLplayer perspectives to optimise concussion management,are expected to be delivered later this year.
The training camp includedskillssessions, recovery at GippslandPower’s Centre of Excellence facility, as wellasvisits from AFL club recruits during the Thursday session at Morwell East to givethem their first glimpse at potential draftees.
GippslandPower BoysHeadCoach, Rhett
FromWednesday(January 22) to Friday(January 24), the Morwell Recreation Reserve and Ronald Reserve, Morwell East featured around 50 young players from both Vic Country boys and girls squads, giving them an opportunity to experience the day-to-day efforts of aprofessional footballer.
McLennan is also heading up the Vic Country Boys program for the next two years, having been involved with the state side as an assistant/backline coach for the last five years.
Vic Country will have two practice matches after Easter and three to four games into the Coates Talent League season (Under 18 competition) against rival Victoria Metro before selections are finalised.
The announcement of the final squadwill precede Vic Country’s first match of the Marsh Under 18s National Championship againstWesternAustralia in June.
McLennan is excited to be involved with such a great group of young players, as they strive ahead in their final years of elite junior football.
“Really high-quality character kids, there’s no doubt about that, they really connected well and they wanttodowell,not justfor themselves but for each other in the jumper which is great,” he said.
“Wereallysee alot of development over the next six to eight weeks to be honest,sothey get back and starttraining with ahigh-volume load back at their Talent League clubs for the next six weeksand then they all come together and do some physical tests in Melbourne just before the season starts.
“(I’m) really hoping and expecting some of these guys to really jump up and have areallygreat start to the season and put their draft chances up early in the year.”
During the course of the week, many travelling Vic Country coaches and representatives praised the Gippsland Power and Morwell Football-Netball Club facilities as some of the bestthey’d trained at.
“We’re really lucky that we’ve got the best facilitiesoutside of the AFL,that wasdue to the foresight
of Peter Francis (former Gippsland Power Coach and Talent Manager) setting up the facility 13 years ago,” McLennan said.
“It really is the envy of every second tier football team in the country, so that’s Western Australia, South Australia and all around the country.
“We are extremely lucky in the way that we set it up and we need to thank Peter… it’s been areally goodopportunity to actually showcase what we’ve got here in Gippsland.”
The Vic Country Boys squad also has anumber of Gippsland players as it currently stands, with Mitchell Stevens (Heyfield), Willem Duursma (Foster), Xavier Ladbrook (Nar Nar Goon), Wil Malady(Bairnsdale), Zachary O’Keefe(Maffra) and Jobe Scapin (Inverloch-Kongwak).
The Vic Country Girls, coached by GWV Rebels’ Sally Riley, boastssuch names as Ella Stoddart (Traralgon), Maya Crestani (Nar Nar Goon), Rebecca Fitzpatrick (Bunyip)and Abby Hobson (Pakenham) within the squad.
Vic Country’s first training camp was held at the EssendonFCHigh Performance Centre (NEC Hangar)from December 16 to 17 last year.
Leader: Gippsland PowerBoyscoachRhett McLennan is heading up the Victoria Country Boys programthisyear
Traralgonbasketball at inspiring levels
Drive: Traralgon’s WilJonesplaying forU15 Boys Goldminersatthe SouthernCross Challenge Photograph supplied
BASKETBALL
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
THE Southern CrossChallenge(SCC) washeld at the State Basketball CentrefromJanuary 17 to 20 with local junior stars on display for Victoria.
Traralgonfeatured threeplayers across the weekend tournament, with Goy Deng (Under 14 Boys Bushrangers), Wil Jones (U15 Boys Goldminers) and Jack Scurrah (U15 Boys Bushrangers).
Morwell’s AaliyahJudilla was also prominent for the U15 Girls Bushrangers.
Deng finished with 41 points across seven games, Jones (36) and Scurrah (26).
Judilla had 42 points acrossthe tournament and stamped herweekendwith 16 points in theirfinal win against New South Wales Metro.
The SCC beganin2012and is atournament entirely focussed on development and participation for inspiring junior basketballers.
This overlapped with the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup which was held in AlburyWodonga, and likewise featured an abundance of local players from Traralgon, Morwell and Moe.
TRARALGON standout Will Hamilton ventured to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) recently for the 2025 National Performance Camp with the Centre of Excellence and Basketball Australia.
Atotal of 52 boys and girls between 16 and 17-years-old undertook the four-day extensive program designedtogiveyoung thriving basketballers the opportunity to train with and play against their peers from across the country.
Hamilton wasalongside some of the best and most prolific talentathis age, the likes of Dash Daniels (brother of Bendigo NBA player Dyson Daniels) and Harrison Beauchamp (Basketball Victoria Junior Male Player of the Year).
Hamilton previously won the gold medal for Australia at the FIBA Under 15 Oceania Cup in November,inwhich he was awarded Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the entire tournament.
He was also apart of VictoriaCountry Bushrangers Boys under 18 winning squad at the Australia Country Junior Basketball Cup earlier this year.
Victoriescelebrated at long-running tournament
BASKETBALL BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
PLENTY of local basketballers got their work in on the Australia Day long weekend.
More than 30 squads from Traralgon, Moe, and Morwell participated in both the Bendigo Junior Classicand Eltham-Dandenong Junior Basketball Tournament, once again showcasing the wonderful young basketball community.
Nine local teams travelled to Bendigo, including seven from Traralgon, whose Under 12 girls won the championship Final 39 to 17 over Echuca.
The Eltham-DandenongJunior Basketball Tournamentisrecognised as one of the longest running and largest basketball tournaments in the world, with over 1800 teams from across the country arriving and close to 270 competitions on offer.
Of those 1800 teams, 22 of them came from the Latrobe Valley.
Moe had two winning squads -the U12 boys beating Caseyina thrilling B2 South East final by four points, and the U12 Girls in the C1 Grand Final 17-16 over Dolphins (WA).
Additionally, Traralgon U14 Boystook the B6 Grand Final 47-44 against Mornington.
Shot: Traralgon Under 10splayerTateSpeirs during the Eltham-Dandenong Junior Basketball Tournament.
On asidenote; Box HillVFL also completed training at Morwell East that same week on the Sunday (January 26) as they build up to practice matches in February.
Photographs supplied
Winnersare grinners: Under 12 Boys B2 South East champions, Moe Meteorsposefor aselfie withcoach ReneeMoss and team managerBrent Lawrence.
Next in line: Foster’s Willem Duursmaiseyedtobeapotentialfourth Duursma draftedtothe big leagues
Photographs: BlakeMetcalf-Holt
Next up, Gippsland showcase
NETBALL
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
NETBALL Victoria'sGippsland Showcase arrives this weekend, with plenty on offer for the entire family during thetwo-day event.
The central attraction for the Gippsland netball community will be the opportunity to see the Gippsland Stars Championship side hit the court for the first time at Gippsland Regional Sports Stadium (GRISS).
Exhibition matches for the local Victoria Netball League club, from Championship level through to 17 and Under, will feature in matches against fellowVNL clubsCasey Demons and Peninsula Waves.
Suncorp SuperNetball franchiseMelbourne Mavericks will alsoarriveonSaturday for an opening training session in front of the Gippsland crowd, followed by asigning session for fans to meet some of the best players in the country. It was also recently announcedthat the Victorian
state teams (19/U and 17/U) will be joinedbySouth Australia and New Zealand development team Waikato Bay of Plenty for practice games as well.
Second-year Gippsland Stars 23/U gem Anna Solomonislooking forwardtoseeing all that
Netball Victoria has to offer for its regional fans, as well as exposing the opportunities on display for aspiring Gippsland juniors.
"It's nice to have the VNL in Gippsland because that's never really played in Gippsland... talking to the girls about it and the team, it's just nice to have that presence here again," she said.
"With the SSN (Suncorp Super Netball) being presentaswell, it's hard to dream of something if you can't see it, so it's good to have that in front of you.
"When we had the Gippsland games here (last year), alot of young girls came, which Ithink is the best part about it because when Iwas that age, Ididn't really see the pathway that much or, Iguess,because it wasn't in my face as much (so)
Ididn't really know about it.
"Having the Mavericks here... having the training
session and the signings will be really goodbecause, especially for them as an elite team, again showing that can be the next step that you want to take and keep going if you want to be serious about your netball."
Traralgon serves as one of the biggest netball hubs in the state, according to Netball Victoria, meaning the statebody sees immense importance in ceasing this regional opportunity
"We really think it's critical and important to us to give the players, fans, and all their families a chance to experience up close and personal elite netballand the excitement of that and givethem a chance to sort of touch and feel the game in person,"
Netball Victoria General Manager of Stakeholder Relations, Sarah Rush said.
Doors open at GRISS this Saturday at 9.30am, with the Victoria 19/U facing off against Waikato Bay of Plenty (New Zealand) development team.
Tickets range from as little as $3 to $5 for juniors and $7 to $10 for adults or concession. Book tickets at: trybooking.com/CXJFP
Prime: Gippsland Starsand Morwell netballer Anna Solomon is readytogofor the Netball Victoria Gippsland Showcase this weekend.
BlakeMetcalf-Holt
TrafalgarpowerpastMoe to remain on top
BOWLS
STRZELECKI NORTH
MIDWEEK PENNANT
BY MICHAEL HOLROYD
MIDWEEK Pennant continued on Tuesday, January 28, with all games played in mild conditions with not as much wind affecting the bowls as hashappened in recent weeks.
In Division1,Traralgondefeated Warragul by 29 shots, with James Scullinand his rink of Di Richards, Bill Munday and Lyn Moffat winning 34 to 11.
GOLF
CHURCHILL &MONASH
Men’sMonthly Medal Saturday25th January 2025.
Medal Winner: G. SandersNett64
ScratchWinner: M. Peel 81
Putts: L. Anderson 25
AGrade Winner: D. Burridge Nett71
BGrade Winner: G. SandersNett64
CGrade Winner: P. Chapple Nett71
DGrade Winner: Ash West Nett68
D.T.L: 1. J. McCafferty 71, 2. C. Waring 72, 3. A. Sharrock72, 4. V. Reid 72, 5. R. King 73, 6. D. Taylor 73, 7. D. Cluderay 73, 8. G. Spowart 74,9.M.Brereton74, 10.B.Kilday
77
N.T.P: 3rd(ProPin)B.Mathieson, 12th G. Barnes,14th G. Barnes Birdies: 3rdG.Harvey, D. Burridge 14th R. King
Target Hole: P. Flanigan
ParTuesday28th January 2025.
Winner: C. Carder -1
D.T.L: 1. L. Brent -2, 2. C. Barnes
N.T.P: 3rdM.Dear,5th M. Dear,12th C. Barnes,14th C. Sterrick
MIRBOONORTH
Tuesday28th January,Stableford.
AGrade: RFelmingham (8) 39 c/b
BGrade: JGunn (30) 44 pts
DTL: TWhitelaw39, JSmeriglio 38, C Freshwater,S Beitz 36, NTP: 4th NBaker,6th TWhitelaw, 13th T Whitelaw, 16th TLeggo
Newborough won by 31 shots at Drouin with Sheryl Atkinson andher rink of MaureenLeighton, Tony Knipping and Alan Ryan winning 31-8.
Jo-Anne Michaels and her rinkofFran Clark, Debby Kennedy and Danny Van-Zuylen won 31-16.
Trafalgar had a29-shotwin over Moe with Ian Miles and his rink of Shirley Melsen, Noel Rubenstein and Matt Ogilvie winning 26-14.
Morwell Club, at Traralgon RSL, had asolid 30 shot win with Tara Harle and her rink of Roger Rejmer, Vaughan Reimers and Lynne Smith winning 26-8. Brett Harle won 23-9. IN Division 2, Newborough (2) had a25-shot
75C/B
Stableford
Grade AWinners: Johnson, Charles (7) 43
Grade BWinners: White, Rodney(13)42
Grade CWinners: Savige,Karyn (27) 40
Place Getters:Weir,Charles 39 Falla, Reece 37 C/B Donnison, Terry37 Mead, Anne 35 C/B Hamilton, Alec 35 C/B Randall, Damien 35 Great Score:RodneyWhite(Birdie) @8
Anne Mead (Birdie) @14MannyBorg (Birdie) @4 Joel Poole (Birdie) @8 Charles Johnson (Birdie) @14Peter Buckman (Birdie) @8
Nearest to Pin: 4th MannyBorg8th Joel Poole 14th KathyBorg
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 Twilight
Stableford Winner: W.Yeomans 21
Thursday, 30 January 2025 OPEN Medley
Stableford
Grade AWinners: Spiteri, Paul (9) 38
Grade BWinners:Thomson, Bruce (11) 43
Grade CWinners: Vesty, Richard(15)40 C/B
Grade DWinners: Edebohls,Jack(29) 46
Place Getters: Lee,Shaun 40 C/B Pisa, John 40 C/B Puddy,Jacob 40 C/B VAN BAALEN, Simon 40 C/B Panozzo, Gavan 40 Young,Peter 39 Duncan, Ian 39 Dent, Russell 38 C/B Hall, Bill 38 C/B Papettas, Maurice 38 C/B Brien, Graeme 38 Vincent, Ray37C/B Juhasz, Daniel 37 C/B Jenkins, Andrew 37 C/B Donaldson, Murray 37 C/B Bassman, Jeffrey37C/B Veenman, Laurie 37 White, Lockie 36 C/B
Great Score: Jack Edebohls (Birdie) @8 TerryDonnison (Birdie) @14Brian Dooley (Birdie) @8 RickyDyt (Birdie) @8 Tim Tulloch (Birdie) @4 MichaelBloss (Birdie) @14Tim Ford (Birdie) @8 John Harber (Birdie) @14Murray Donaldson(Birdie) @ 8Jamie Winters(Birdie)@14 Nearest to Pin: 4th SteveCunningham 8th Murray Donaldson 14th TerryDonnison
Saturday, 01 February 2025 WOMEN'S SATURDAY OPEN
Grade AWinners: Savige,Karyn (26) 42
Place Getters: Wallis,Elizabeth 36 Great Score: KarynSavige (Birdie) @14
Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 5February, 2025
win at Drouin (2) with Robbert Cook and his rink of Brian Carpenter, Bev Luck and Phil Marston winning 21-11. Yinnar had asolid win against Traralgon (2) with Tim Roche and his rink of Peter Rennie, Ray Tanti and Peter Bramley winning 23-16.
Neerim District won by 50 shotsagainstMorwell Club(2) with JulieAdams and herrink of Graeme Wingate, Mel Neil and Gregg Chapplewinning 39-14.
Pat Fraser-Aurisch won 30-12.
Trafalgar (2) defeatedMorwell (2) by 13 shots with Wayne Hurst and his rink of Joanna Reekie, Margaret Moss and Dave Wilson winning 27-15.
SCOREBOARD
Gross Winner:Tony Johnson 72
Great Score: BernardHoward(Birdie) @14
Graham Geisler (Birdie) @14
BernardHoward(Birdie)@4
Simon Stephens (Birdie) @14
Brad Hefford (Birdie) @8
Brad Hefford (Birdie) @14
AnthonyColvin (Birdie) @4
Dale Collings (Birdie) @4
Nearest to Pin: 4th BernardHoward 8th
SteveCunningham 14th BernardHoward
Graham Kerr -Mystery SixesPrize Winner
MORWELL
Women's Stableford29th January 2025
Div 1: IYoshimura40pts
Div 2: JennyGriffiths 44 pts
DTL: CBoers38pts APollutro38pts
Birdies: DVuillermin &I Yoshimura
NTP: 2nd DVuillermin 8th JGriffiths 11th I Yoshimura15th DVuillermin
Hegarty 13th: MickWest, Chris Griffin15th: RayWiseman, Bob Baldry, Dennis Hicks, JoePedemont
Saturday, February 1st 2025, Monthly
Medal Stroke/2024 Medal of Medalist
Medal Winner: Aaron Larkman 66 nett
Agrade Winner: Zavier O’Reilly67nettC/B
BGrade Winner: Paul Fogarty70nett
DIVISION 3 saw Drouin (3) defeated Morwell (2) by 14 shots, Newborough (3) defeated Yarragon by 20 shots and Traralgon defeated Churchill by one shot.
In Division 4, Traralgon RSL (2) defeated Warragul (2)byfiveshots, Longwarry hada36 shot win over Moe (4) and Garfield had an eight shot win over Morwell (3).
In Division 5, Newborough(4) drew with Trafalgar (3), Yallourn North defeated Yinnar (2) and Drouin (4) defeated Traralgon (4). In Division 6, Warragul (3)defeated Traralgon(5), Churchill (2) defeated Morwell (4) and Traralgon RSL (3) defeated Neerim District (2).
CGrade Winner: Aaron Larkman 66 nett
ScratchWinner: Bill williams 72 gross 2024 Medal of Medalists: Dwayne Jenkins 71 nett
DTL’s: Symon Lee 67,Peter Moss 67 Graeme Ayre 69, Phil James 71, Bill Williams 71,DwayneJenkins 71, Mark Robinson 72, ParisChristian 72, Bruce Aplin 72, RonDavey 72 C/B
NTP’s: 2nd: Russ Grant 5th: Scott McKinnon 11th:Paris Christian 13th:Bill Williams 15th:Bill williams –Adrienne Cornish Birdies: 5th: TimCross,Roy Whatmough, Trevor Perkins, Josh Clarkson, Scott McKinnon, PeterGriffin 11th:Paris Christian 13th: TimCross,Nathan Dart,JeffGray 15th: Bill williams
ROUND 13 of Weekend Pennant continued with muchhotter conditions and allgreensrunning quite quickly, leadingtosome bigwins and surprise upsets in some matches.
In Division1,Drouin and Traralgon RSL played afluctuating match at Drouin, with Dave Hodson andhis rink of Garry Trewin, Kevin Durward and Ross Sizeland winning 37 to 13. This was not to overcome the strong Drouin rinks however, with Gareth Rich winning 28-9, and Dennis Throup 28-11 leaving Drouin the winners by nine shots.
Longwarry reversed their early season result at home against Morwell with all rinks up and winning by 20 shots. Ian Peterson and his rink of Grant Pask, NatalieCousin and TrevorKitchin won 22-12.
Warragul also reversed an early season result, winning by 16 shotsathome against Trafalgar, with Gary Ingley and his rink of Lynne Thomas,
Anthony Wynd and Peter Gallasch winning 28-7.
Traralgon away at Newborough maintained top spot on the ladderwith Michael Yacoub and his rink of Pat Trewin,Julian Wildenberg and Ian Kirkup winning 25-14 as they won by 22 shots.
Division 2
MOE had another big win at Thorpdale, with JohnHarvey and his rink of Stan Myers, Dave Wurlodand Sandy Caines winning 31-11. Chris Goldsbrough and his rink of Flynn Pallot, Stuart Caines and Barry Hawkett won 28-8.
Neerim District had anine shot win at Traralgon (2) with Neil Adams and his rink of Russell Meehan, Greg Chapple and Angus McGillivray winning 23-10 while for Traralgon (2), Abe Roeder won 27-14.
Traralgon RSL (2) had astrong win at home against Traralgon (3) despite Brendan Smiles and his rink of Elaine Swan, Megan Harrison and Bill Munday winning 25-10,and for the home team, Jeff Blythman and his rink of MargaretMorley, TimAllen and Craig Wilson won 25-11.
Morwell Club defeated Garfield by 20 shots,with Brett Harle and his rink of Matthew Rodgers, David Broadbent and John Woischuk winning 25-10.
Division 3
BOOLARRA maintained top spot witha31-shot win againstTrafalgar(2), with Ron Lyfield and his rink of Jack Cleaver, Mark Whiley and Steve Davy winning 34-13.
Morwell (2), with Graham Hutchinson and his rink of Pauline Betteley, Ian Chamings and Glenn Watkins winning 30-11, were too good for Newborough (3).
Moe (2) defeated Newborough (2) by four shots despite the visiting rinkofPeter Policha together with Chris Wagstaff, Mary Whelan and Len Middling winning 22-11, as Moeskippers Ian Caines and Paul Read won 21-14 and 22-15 respectively.
Yinnar won by 25 shots against Drouin (2), with LukaDjudurovic and his rink of Peter Rennie, Ray Tanti and Jennie Harris winning 28-14.
Division 4
YALLOURN North had a29-shot win over Traralgon (4) with Ricky Hearn and Dale Raven winning 28-11 and 23-7 respectively.
Warragul (2) had aseven-shot win at Churchill despite Craig Flanigan and his rink of Mervyn Gill, Sandy Milne and Kristian Hunter winning 31-8.
Yarragon won by threeshots at Neerim District (2). Longwarry (2) had abig winatNewborough against Morwell (3) with John McCarthy winning 40-10 and John Majkut 40-13.
Division 5
MORWELLClub(2) had aone-shotwin over Morwell (4), Garfield (2) had atwo-shot win over Boolarra (2). Traralgon RSL (3) had a19shot win over Traralgon (5), Warragul (3) had a21shot win over Yallourn North (2) and Drouin (3) had asix shot win over Trafalgar (3).
Division 6
NEWBOROUGH (4) defeated Longwarry (3) by one shot, Moe (3) also defeated Traralgon(6) by one shot. Neerim District (3) had a15shot win over Trafalgar (4) and Drouin (4) had the bye. In Division 7, Churchill(2) defeated Traralgon RSL (4), Thorpdale (2) defeated Warragul (4) and Traralgon (7) defeated Moe (4).
State Singles were played last Sunday at Newborough and play was curtailed early due to the heat. All matches will resume this Sunday (February 9) at Newborough.
Faltum leads Panthers to flag, two for two in WNCL
BY TOM HAYES
WHILE some kicked back to enjoy the Australia Day long weekend, local cricketing export Nicole Faltum was captaining Victoria in the first of two Women’s National Cricket League matches against Western Australia.
Taking to Junction Oval for the first one dayer, Faltumwon the toss for Victoria and threw the visitors into bat.
The West Australians were off to asteady start, making 59 runs without loss, before the visitors began to shake.
Three wickets fell in the space of five overs, Faltum taking the catch of the third off the bowling of Tess Flintoff, the scoreboard read 3/67.
Faltum took another catch behind the stumps, this time off the bowlingofGeorgiaPrestwidge.
And in the next two overs, WA was reduced to six wickets lost followingtwo more in quicksuccession
The visitors did well to get to 229, during an innings that was reduced to 47 overs.
Faltum opened the batting for the hosts, alongside Meg Lanning, the two outdoingWA’s opening stand, making 72 runs before Lanning departed for49from36balls.
Faltum and first drop Ella Hayward added another 68 runs before Hayward (42runs) was sent back to the sheds, Faltum (39) followed her not long after with the score at 3/145.
WA were on ateam hattrick soon after Faltum’s dismissal, reducing the hosts to 5/160.
Some decent knocks in the tail end guided Victoria home justinthe nickoftime, reaching thetotal with justthree ballsremaining to claim atwo wicket win.
Just two days later, both sides returned to
Junction Oval for the second instalment, this encounter was just as close as the first.
Faltum again won the tossand again elected to field.
Faltum caught MaddyDarke for24toget the innings started.
She took the second catch of the innings too, again off the bowling of Prestwidge, leaving WA at 2/58.
The visitors steadily progressedfrom there, eventuallyreaching239 by the timeofthe fifth wicket. Three more wicketsfell before WA’s 50 overs was up, Faltum getting arun out in the last over, as WA finished their innings on 8/275.
Things didn’t start off as Victoria would have likedinresponse, with Faltum being dismissed in the second over for three.
Lanning would continue to bat through the innings,losing multiple partnersonthe way as she powered toward acentury. Unfortunately for her however, she would only make it as far as 95.
With about 100 runs to makeinthe final20overs, Victoria was in the driving seat, but with only five wickets in the sheds, they had to be cautious.
Flintoffpicked up where Lanning left off, batting past ahalf century. Victoria losttheir ninth wicket in the 47th over, still needing 20 runs from 20 balls.
Only needing 18 of those deliveries, Flintoff and
MillyIllingworth reached the total to give Victoria another tight win over the Western Australians. Heading into the week starting on Monday, February 3, Victoria were hanging onto atop four spot,witharecord of five wins and three losses. Victoria return to action against Queensland on February 7and 9.
AFTER an interrupted Victorian Premier Cricket Women’s T20 Grand Final, Faltum and Dandenong Panthers were crowned premiers on Thursday, January 23.
Faltum opened the batting with Jessica Matin, combiningfor 41 for the first partnership of the innings. She remained at the crease however but was the next to go with the scoreat72, contributing 44 runs.
Five more wickets would fall throughout the innings as the Panthers put up ascoreof106 after 20 overs.
Following the completion of Dandenong’s innings, the rain began to tumble down at Ringwood’s Jubilee Park, forced the game to be abandoned. As it was aGrand Final however, and Faltum’s Panthers finished on top of the ladder priorto finals, Dandenong was crowned premiersofthe T20 competition.
When the Saints touredMaffra
By LIAM DURKIN
TIMES were certainly simpler in the 1920s.
St Kildaplayers decided to travel just afew hourseastfor their end of season trip after the 1920 V/AFL campaign, and headed to Maffra.
The presumablyunglamorous trip (at least by modern standards) tied in somewhat to an equally inglorious season, in which the Saints claimed the wooden spoon.
St Kilda won just two of 16 games in 1920, evenwith the legendary Roy Cazalyleading the charge as captain.
The high-flying Cazaly was one of 12 inaugural legends inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame, but is most well known as the namesake of the song ‘Up There Cazaly’.
Up There Cazaly was released in 1979, and has gone on to become an unofficial anthem of the game, frequently played on AFL grand final day. As preseasons are now underway for all local clubs, the opening lyrics remain as relevant today forcountry players as they did more than 40 years ago: "You work to earn aliving, but on weekends comes the time, you can do whatever turnsyou on, get outand clear your mind."
FOOTBALL
The man himself: Express journalist Liam Durkin stumbled across this photoofStKilda players in Maffra during the1920s.The legendaryRoy Cazalyiscircled.
Hughes’ world, we just live in it
CRICKET
CLVPREMIER A
BY LIAM DURKIN
TWO Daycricket resumed at the weekend in Cricket Latrobe Valley Premier A.
Round 12 returned some big first innings totals, and anumberofcurveballs in not only the finals race, but the battle for relegation as well.
YOU'RE only as good as your last game.
Aweek after beating Ex Students, Centrals might still have had the taste of champagne in their mouths, after succumbing to Raiders on Day 1out at Yinnar.
The home side ended the day with first innings points, afterdefending what appeared to be a subpar total of 129.
Yet, with ahost of past players looking on,Raiders did as their famed premiership teams of the early 2000s did, putting in acommanding bowling performance to knock the Lions over for just 56. How much and yet howlittle has changed in local cricket: Raiders blasting teams out cheaply; Centrals capitulating with the stick.
Raiderswere helped to their total through an unlikely source, with last wicket pairHarri McColl and Tim Hutchinson putting on 60.
There is nothing much more demoralising than anagging last wicket partnership (stillhave nightmares about Roger Henry), and so it proved when Centrals went out to bat.
McColl resembled Marco Jansen in showing allrounder status,top scoringwith 44. Tom Robertson had chipped in with 27 earlier in the piece.
Marc Fenech led the attack once againfor Centrals, taking5/50off 25 overs(to thinkhow many overs that man has bowled in his time). What the Lionsveteran could do however, Raiders' could do better.
Barney Webber steamed in with the new ball, and ended up taking 6/21, working in tandemwith McColl who snared 3/22.
Centrals' woes were possibly best summed up by looking at the modes of dismissal: five bowled and four lbw.
On an eventful day, Raiders then survived three overs before stumps, and will go into Day 2with alead of 87.
Having lookedall but certaintoclaimthe wooden spoon, the team from Yinnar could leapfrog CATS and Toongabbieifithappenstopick up an outright this weekend.
IMEAN, he has kicked nine in agrand final.
Keenan Hughes had aday that, in cricket at least, will take some topping.
When one ponders why we play cricket; agame that demands so much and promises so little, it is for days like Hughes had at the weekend that keep you coming back.
Theleft arm quick decimated CATS, taking6/38 to see them rolled for 64 on their home deck.
Hughes then came in at number six and blasted an unbeaten century off just 68 balls. It took Moe just 10 overs to win on first innings,
whichpaved the way for Hughes to come in and startswinging.
He had no trouble locating the middle of the bat, blasting nine sixesand eightfours, making for what was surely one of the most standout individual performances across the entirestate,possibly country, last weekend.
Perhapslost in all of this wasthe efforts of his teammates, which on any other day would have elicited adegree of backslapping.
Laytten Smith took 3/3, Andrew Philip made 55 and Ben Zomer 42 off 39 balls.
TinashePanyangara did his best for the home side, making27, before being knocked over by Smith.
Hughes may simply have been too quick for a few of the CATS batsmen, given all but one of his wickets was either bowled or lbw.
His work allowed Moe to declare with a lead of 190, and the Lions will start Day 2afull 162 runs ahead.
EX STUDENTS piled on the runs.
The Sharks battedall dayand closed at 4/343 after 85 overs against Toongabbie.
MichaelStockdale walked off Terry Hunter Oval with 97 not out to his name, and will surely be given the chance to register aton on Day 2.
Ex Students have the optionofbatting another 10 overs, and afew nudges to reach triple figures seems the most likely course of action for the Woodside premiership coach.
Jimmy Pryde had to contend with 83 at the top of the order, as he and Matt Dyke (66) made the best possible start.
Jackson McMahon kept the runs coming with52 before being run out.
After afew indifferent weeks in limited overs, the Sharks will be pleased to see areturn to form in the format that wins premierships.
Amal Athulathmudali mighthave to go very large this Saturday if Toon are to be any chance.
MORWELL has some work to do.
The Tigers are 2/13 chasing 248 againstGlengarry.
The Magpies batted for the best part of 80 overs on Keegan Street, and saw most players get to double figures.
Frank Marks missed acentury by just 10 runs, while Hamish Busk (61) and Nat Freitag (27) were also prominent.
Military medium Dylan Day returned exceptional figures of 7/59 off 22.4 overs, entering the record books in the process.
His haul was not only careerbest figures, but also the best-ever for Morwell against Glengarry.
The unfortunate theme of Morwell being two for not many continued at the weekend, with the Tigers losing multiple poles in the six overs before stumps, both courtesy of Max Merten.
Saluting original Razor Ray
CRICKET
By LIAM DURKIN
RAZOR sharp commitment to the game.
Raiders Cricket Club legend Ray ‘Razor’ Stanlake was celebrated at the weekend, recognising his 50 years of service.
Well-wishers gathered in the Raiders clubrooms at Yinnar Recreation Reserve, to toast the man who has fulfilled just about every job possible in the summer game.
Raiders President Jason Macfarlane and club legend JeffKnowlesboth made speeches, as did former Raiders player Mark Waller, whose father Ron was aclose friend of Stanlake’s.
His 50 years takes in his time serving both Yinnar Raidersand the Morwell Tigers Cricket Club.The two clubs mergedin1994toform Morwell Tigers Yinnar Raiders(now just called Raiders).
While the scorers table has been afamiliar posting for Stanlake over the last few decades, he has also dedicated much time as acommittee member, junior coach, record keeper and umpire. By all accounts, he was also abetter cricketer than he would have people believe, playing AGrade for Morwell Tigers (formed during
Sunday sippers) as aright arm off spinner. His commitment has led to him being one of the few to be awarded life membership of both Morwell Tigers and Raiders.
AwayfromRaiders, he hasalsoassisted countless country week trips and scored many Gippsland Cricket League matches.
Aman of few words, Stanlakeeventually took to the stage on Saturday night to share afew anecdotes.
He paid tribute to the club for the great memories, and aspecial thanks to his wife Dorothy ‘Dot’ for her patiencegiventhe amount of time cricket consumes.
“She’s been here since day dot,” he said. Their son Chris ‘Bruiser’Stanlakehas played many years for Raiders, and like his father, is also alife member.
Razor was formally presented with aCricket Victoria award during the BoxingDay Test last year.
“Ray’s variedand valuable longer term contributions have always been appreciated by all club members. Both MTCC and Raiders cricket clubs would simply not have been as successful, on and off the field, without Ray’s selfless, reliable and valuable contributions,” Waller said.
IN the final hurdles toward postseason in Cricket Latrobe Valley AGrade,manywould be hopingfor results to merge the top of the order closer, simply for the entertainment value.
Returning to two-day cricket in Round 12, it just may answer those hopes, with both Churchill and Imperials sitting comfortably at the top of the ladder as it currently stands.
ARETURN to form for Imps
Imperials have first innings points in their bout against Gormandale at Stoddart Oval after the Tigers were knocked over for just 96.
Electing to bat first, skipper Mathew Hibbs (31) andCampbell Peavey (37) were the only ones to cease any of their chances while all but one other, Yohan Soyza (12), made it past five runs. Joel Randall was superb, taking 5/22 across 8.4
overs, while Tom Starkey grabbed 2/6 across four. Hoping to gain their second win in arow after amomentary blip in the middle of the season, Imperials captain Ryan Morley (35), Dilshan Thilakarathne (27) and James Skingle (39) started their first innings off exceptionally as they easily went past the target.
Anubhav Anubhav (14) and Scott Aitken (12 not out) were others of note.
Imperials headintoDay 2at7/142after 51 overs.
MIRBOO NORTH gained momentum throughout the day against Latrobe at Mirboo North Turf.
The Tigers went through to stumps on 205 as the Sharks wait to bat on Day 2.
Chris Anders began impressively forMirboo North with 70.
Iain Allan (44) and Linc Chila(24)servedwell also.
Latrobe’sSam Wilson stopped any chance of further damage by nailing the last two wickets in back-to-backbowledsagainst right arm bat/left
arm bowler Will Lawrey and leggie Dale Banks. Wilson took 3/33 and Steven Hanning 3/35.
THEY’RE almost playing with their opponents at this point.
Workingonjust one losssofar for the entire season, Churchill are giving luckless bottom seed Traralgon Westagointheir matchup at Jack Canavan.
The Eagles chose to bat and things seemed positivewithMatt Griffiths booming out of the gate with 42.
Unfortunately, not much else could be saved as captain Hayden Kimpton (26) and Sam Varsaci (19) were next best as they were all out for 124 in their first innings.
Ross Whelpdale took 4/49 over 16.3overs and SteveWarr3/17.
There was already aclear and sizeable gap betweenthe two entering the match, but the Cobras once again walked through relatively unscathed.
TheCobras had scoresinbuncheswith Brendan Mason(52), Ryan Ayres (44), Brae Kelly (44) and
JoelMason(21) leading the charge for the visitors. Churchill declared on 189 after just 24.3 overs, showing full outright intent.
Ending Day 1, Traralgon West already lost four wickets in their second innings.
ROVERS are in the box seat.
At Joe Tabuteau (Moe Racecourse), Rovers comfortably pushed out asolid total against Willow Grove.
Dougal Williams was a star with 78 off 94 balls, followed by an even spread from teammates such as Tyler (34) and Jordan Pearce (20).
Rovers were all out for 206 as the Wolves’ Nathan Wheildon took 4/43.
WillowGrove madeitthrough 18 overs before stumps, with Luke Payton making 20, yet with the score 3/40.
Rovers sit three games back from Imperials for second on the ladder, and are desperately trying to avoid the cluster of teams around them.
Cricket Latrobe Valley lower grade scores
Saturday, February 1
Premier B(Round 14,Day 1): Toongabbie 3/39 vs Ex Students 5dec 303 (H Canny 111, CPotalej 111, NFarley 3/79,MCooper 2/60), Thorpdale 7/130 (M Graeme38, KO'Connell 36, BReside 3/32, NDay 2/3) vs Morwell 113 (R Semmler 29, Z O'Connell 4/18, KO'Connell 3/37, MPowell 2/20), Churchill 53 (J Wus 5/19, JBrierley 3/15) &1/28 vs Jeeralang-Boolarra7dec 189(TBeamish 52, LSmith 45, JBrierley 29*, RJohnson 3/42,R Marks 2/31), Traralgon West 82 (B Howe 26, R Hughes 6/37, GWalker4/43) vs MirbooNorth 3/252 (A Scicluna 121*, RKing43, CSchellekens 42), Glengarry vs CATS 334 (R Hare 171, THagley 42,J Bellingham 32, CWilkerson 32, GWaack-Hawkins 4/46, DCochrane 2/56).
Women's Championship (Round 13): Ex Students 5/110 (D Godenzi 32*, JAkkerman 22*, CSutton 21) def Willow Grove 4/85 (J Christie 32*, HFerguson 15), Morwell 2/115 (N Freeman 30*) def Rovers 2/44 (E Grant 15*), Mirboo North 3/77 (K Collins 41*, TMcConnell 21*, def Raiders 4/76 (T Hunt 30*, LVan Berkel 19, DKing15*, ADean 3/16).
Women's Premier (Round 13): Willow Grove 3/64(MDonoghue 32*,VThomas 2/18)def Centrals 4/62(FMorrison 30*, KDoble18), Raiders0/22def Churchill7/18 (S Blines 2/1,HBaker 2/9), Imperials 5/77 (A Murtagh 30*, MHayes 2/16) def Latrobe 7/64(MDuncan 21, PWheeler 2/8,IWilliams 2/13)
Friday, January 31
Under 16s (Round 10, Day 1): Willow Grove
136 (D Walsh 43, WFrankland 2/8, CBoys 2/15) vs Morwell, Moe 9/73(KMicallef24, MCropley 3/14,F Graham 2/11, LBastin2/13) vs Ex Students0/56 (L Henry 34*), Raiders vs Toongabbie 6/270 (B Cooper 51*, XHurley 33, MMayman 23, KPritchett 23*, TDonoghue 22, SDarby2/15), Gormandale-Rovers vs Centrals (no scores entered), Glengarry -bye Under 14 girls: Ex Students 2/88 (A Shine 20*) def Traralgon West 5/76 (A Hodson 22*, K Murtagh2/5), Willow Grove 5/62 (L Blackshaw 29*, CStockdale 3/6) def Raiders 3/49 (R van der Stoep 2/8).
WHAT helping people in your electorate is all about.
Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull has pulledonthe whites for his cricket club St Mary's Nagle in the Bairnsdale Cricket Association -in AGrade mind you.
Afterplaying one game before Christmas in thetwos, the Nationals MP has been required for the First XI twice in the new year.
If stats are anything to go by, Bull has shown he certainly isn't just making up the numbers either.
Paynesville afortnight ago, even hitting asix during his47-ball innings.
Last Saturday,heran out Meerlieu opener and one of Gippsland'sgreatestmodern day players in Rohan Blandford.
The Nationals have astrongsporting affinity. Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron played VFL football for Traralgon, while fellow Maroons footballer Peter Hall played for Carlton. Hall was state member for Gippsland/Eastern Victoria from 1988 until his retirement in 2014. Bull, who turns 60 next year, has shown age is clearly no barrier in sport.
Age could be no barrier in politics either -the median age for aUSpresident is 55 -the last two have been 78.
Rosedale reunion this week
CRICKET
By LIAM DURKIN
ROSEDALE-KILMANY Cricket Club will celebrate anumberofpremiership reunions this Saturday. This season marks40yearssince the Warriors won the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association first grade flag in 1984/85,and 30 sincearemarkable trio of titles in the lower grades (winning BGrade,C Grade and DGrade).
Anyone who wasinvolved in these teams is being encouraged to attend RosedaleRecreation Reserve to catch up and watch the current day players in action from 1pm.
Some familiarnames feature in the 1984/85 team, with some still playing veterans cricket today. The team was:Ian Bruggy (captain), Murray Beagley, CraigGunstone, Greg Mitchell, Paul Diamond, Ian Southall, Ian Freshwater, Peter Blair, Brett Wallace, Neil Tatterson, Ian Glover and Darryl Peace.
Ian Freshwater is the father of current Latrobe player Cameron Freshwater, and uncle to Sharks captain Steven Freshwater.
Ian's father Noel and Cricket Latrobe Valley legend, the lateGraemeFreshwater, were brothers. Southall stillplays the odd Saturday game for Mirboo North Cricket Club, while away from the
game, can be found driving his Renewable Energy Demonstration Trailer to various schoolsand events.
Tattersonisrated by many as one of the greatest truly'local' players the Gippsland region has ever seen.
When this author was working in Sale and training with Stratford Cricket Club some five years ago, Tatterson, who was well into his 50s by then, would stillface genuine AGrade bowlersinthe nets without any issue, notably rocking back to pull balls most would defend.
The Tattersonnameissynonymouswith Stratford Cricket Club. Current player Jack Tatterson (Neil's nephew) will likely go down as one of the SMCA's greatest. He scored 129 opening the batting just last weekend.
Another namethatstandsout in the 1994/95 Third XI premiership team is Anthony Dessent.
Dessent, from Maffra, was drafted to Hawthornin 1987.Hewent on to coach Rosedale Football-Netball Club to apremiership in 2001. Amessage denoting 'NGFL premiers 2001' still greets Traralgon-bound drivers on the welcome sign coming into town.
Rosedale CC and Kilmany CC combined in 1976/77. Noel Freshwater (from Kilmany) was instrumental in bringing the two clubs together.
Special trip to Alice for new Demon, Mentha
partofMelbourne’s
outcomes for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Beams blast 50 in Gippy cricket
CRICKET/FOOTBALL
By LIAM DURKIN
FROM playing on the MCG to playing next to agreyhound track.
Collingwood premiership player Dayne Beams made acameo appearance in Gippsland cricket at the weekend, suiting up for Longwarry Cricket Club.
Beamsprovedtobea morethan handy fill in, helping the Crows Third XI to victory over WarragulatLogan Park(situated nextto Warragul Greyhound Racing Club).
Playing in shorts, the 34-year-old whacked two sixes and eight fours opening the batting, retiring on 52, after taking 2/13 earlier in the
day as the Crowswon the game by five wickets. The arrangement came about due to amateship between the children of Longwarry's captain and Beams' kids.
Beams played 177 AFL games for Collingwood and Brisbane Lions. His 2010Magpies flagwas won alongside Sale'sScott Pendlebury and Heyfield's Leigh Brown, and fellowGippslanders Jarryd Blair (Wonthaggi)and Dale Thomas (Drouin). Current West Coast coach and Traralgon local Andrew McQualter played on the losing St Kilda side, as did Brendon Goddard (Glengarry) and Robert Eddy (Stony Creek).
Beams selflessly auctioned hispremiership medal in 2020 to help the bushfire appeal.
Nat names his best
CRICKET
By LIAM DURKIN
GLENGARRY cricketer Nat Freitag has rated Ex Students pair Lee Stockdale and Jimmy Pryde among the best players he has played against in Gippsland.
Freitag wastaskedwith naming some of his leading opponents as part of afeaturestory on his career with Code Sports
The story's author,Paul Amy (himself from Fish Creek) also spoke to former Warragul and Tasmanian state cricketer, Mark Ridgeway, who coached Freitag at Casey South Melbourne.
"Nathan Freitag would have played for Tassie if he didn’t do his back,’’ Ridgeway declared “In either the Shield or one-dayers, he would havebeenthe all-rounder.Mate,hewas astar. He was aserious player.’’
Afterstartingout at Centrals, the lefthander made the movetoCasey South Melbourne, where he progressed to play someVictoriaSecond XI matches, before decidingtomove to Tasmania in the hopes of cracking the Tigers' state squad.
Unfortunately the injury effectively ended that hope, and he made the move backtoCentrals in 2018.
Since then,hehas enjoyedfurther stints at Casey, and now Glengarry, where he has led the Magpies to two premierships.
On top of this has been ahost of Australian Country CricketChampionship (ACCC) titleswith Victoria Country, and last season's Gippsland Cricket League senior premiershiptitle as captain of Cricket Latrobe Valley.
Stockdale has been ateammate of Freitag's for many representative games, including the most recent ACCC and GCL flags.
“He’s (Stockdale) as highly respected as anyone up here,’’ Freitag told Code.
“With his performances, he’s always in the top coupleeveryyear. That’s what makes him so good –he’s always trying to play at his best.’’
Among those in Freitag's 'best'list were Gormandalelegends Kent Hammond, Travis and GrantleySwitzer, Trafalgar'sRhysHoldsworth, Bairnsdale's RohanBlandford and ReaganKyle, andSale-Maffra's Jack Rietschel.
Gippsland cricket greatAdrianBurgiel (whohad astint at Gormandale) topped the list,whileother prominent names included Ryder Medallist Ian Wrigglesworth (Sale-Maffra) and formerVictorian quick Andrew Perrin (who is now working as a real estate agent in Bairnsdale).
Hawks on the road in 2025
FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
MELBOURNE Football Club arrived into Alice Springsfor afour-day preseasonbreak in the Northern Territory, withMorwell’sRicky Mentha back in his heartland.
Last year, Mentha became the first draft product signed to the Demon Next Generation Academy from the region Alongside Jack Viney, Jake Lever and AFLW Demon Kate Horne, the club was supporting the Jim Stynes Foundation by spotlighting the sportingopportunities and positive health
The players headed up aclinic at the Traeger Park Indoor Basketball courts, with Mentha welcomed by his NT family including his emotional nanna upon his arrival along with cousins, nieces and nephews.
The group then travelled to the Gap Road Youth Centretomeet with young kids, for which Mentha said he often frequented.
During his time with Melbourne, Mentha has been living with veteran leader Viney and continuing to forge strong relationshipswith fellow Indigenous players Kysaiah Pickett and Steven May during the course of the early stages of his professional career.
THOSE poor Hawks.
Drouin Football-Netball Club has confirmed the venues for its home games this Gippsland League season.
The Hawks have been forced to find temporary homesthisseason because of ground resurfacing works at Drouin Recreation Reserve.
Six of the Hawks' home games will be at Trafalgar:against Sale (Round 4, May 3), Traralgon(Round 6, May 17),Maffra (Round
8, June 7), Morwell (Round 10, June 25), Moe (Round 14, July 26) and Leongatha (Round 16, August 9).
The Hawks will play Bairnsdale at Morwell in Round 2(April 12), Wonthaggi at Moe in Round 12 (July 5), with a venue to be confirmedfor the local derby against Warragul in the final round.
The club, and followers of the Gippsland League, will be hoping the works will fix the surface of the Drouin oval, which is notorious for its poor state following wet weather and constant use.
Random: Collingwood 2010 premiership player DayneBeams playedcricketinGippsland at the weekend. Hisold teammate,Heyfield’sLeighBrown,ispicturedright.
Photograph supplied
Home: Morwell’sRicky Mentha (centre) in AliceSprings withfamilyas
Jim Stynes Academyhelpingpromotethe game in remotecommunities Photograph supplied
Beecroft recognised with OAM
SWIMMING
LEGEND status rising.
Traralgon Paralympian Emily Beecroft was bestowed withanOAM in thisyear's Australia Day honours.
The gold medallistwas one of 15 Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games athletes to receive such an award.
JoiningBeecroft was:Jesse Aungles (paraswimming), GraceBrown(cycling), Matt Ebden (tennis), Tim Hodge (para-swimming), Shayna Jack (swimming), Nina Kennedy(athletics), Connor Leahy (cycling), Cam McEvoy (swimming), Kelland O’Brien(cycling)and Sam Welsford (cycling), Lani Pallister (swimming), Lauren Parker (paratriathlon), Keira Stevens (para-swimming) and para-athlete Julie Charlton.
Famedmotivator Laurie Lawrence, who attended the 1982 and 1986 Commonwealth Games as aswimmingcoach before going on to rally the Australian Olympic Team for almost two decades, was elevated to an Officerofthe OrderofAustralia (AO).
Great shave for great cause
FOOTBALL
MOE Football-NetballClubhead trainer
Andrew Addison is shaving his beloved goatee.
While the man known as a'Ado' will be sad to see it go, it's all for agood cause.
The shave is raising money for mental health awareness, and will fittingly take place during Round 2ofthe Gippsland League season when the Lions take on Traralgon at Ted Summerton Reserve.
The twoclubshave been strong mental health advocatesinrecent years, playingfor the Riley 'Choppy' Pearce Cup, named in honour of the late Moe footballer and Traralgon student. Moe senior footballers and netballers are selling raffle tickets to help Ado's cause.
Raffle prizes are up for grabs, including a weekend away at Merimbula Lake Village.
Historian and researcherGreg Blood, who serves on the Heritage and Awards Committee, was also recognised alongside Games-time volunteers across press operations and medicalservices Barbara Smith and John Head.
Commonwealth Games Australia Chief Executive, CraigPhillips congratulated the latest batch of honourees.
“It goes withoutsayingthat all recipients are deserving, but I’d like to specifically acknowledge our Paris 2024 champions across the Olympic and Paralympic Games," he said.
Beecroft, 25, has competedinthe last three Paralympics (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024), winning fourmedals, including gold at the last games.
Her name will now appear as Emily Jane Beecroft OAM on official correspondence.
Superstar: Traralgon Paralympian Emily BeecroftOAM, pictured at last year’s games File photograph
Tennis is for everybody
ALL ABILITIES
LATROBE Valley AllAbility Sports has anumber of programs coming up.
The local all-ability groups are parent-run and driven, and caterdirectly to the needsofkids with additional needs in the local area.
During the sessions, avarietyofgames and activities are played to learn and develop new skills. Games are non-competitive.
Activities are modified so that everyone can ‘have ago’. Participants can also benefit socially by making new friends and feeling partofa team.
Latrobe Valley currently runs three sporting programs locally (during school terms):
Term 1-
Tennis at Pax Hill Tennis Club, Traralgon; Term 2/3AFL at West End Junior Football Club, Traralgon; and, Term 4Cricket at Traralgon West Cricket Club.
Two tennis sessions will be held at Pax Hill every Monday evening during Term 1.
Junior/beginners session (five years to 13/14) run from 5pm to 5.45pm.
Siblings are welcome to participate but must also be registered.
Youth plus session (14-25 years) also run from 5pm-5.45pm.
The costwill be $25 for the term (cash only), payable by the third session.
Registration will be done at the first session.
Tennis started Monday, February 3.
All equipment is supplied, just bringadrink bottle and wear ahat/sunscreen.
If you wish to bring your own racket, make sure it is named.
Aparent/carer must attend and be willingto participate/support if necessary.
Any furtherqueries can be made to Lou Varsaci on 0414 540 296 or email varsaci@aussiebb.com.au
Boolarra going back to the future
FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
BOOLARRApremiership player and Demons champion Mathew Dyer had returned to the club for the 2025 Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League season.
Dyer is one of the most decorated and respected country footballers of his time,which includes multipleclubbest-and-fairest awards for the Demons and aleague BNF during the club’s fairy tale premiership run in 2011.
Once ranked as the third best player in country football,the Boolarra junior was All Australianduring his time for Victoria Countryatthe Australian Country Football Championships. Manyfellow modern day champion local
footballers have identified Dyer as the best player they’ve played against, includingMirboo North and Yallourn Yallourn North senior games record holders Damien Turner and Barrie Burnett.
Dyer has been suiting up for Barwon Heads in the BellarineFootball League since 2015, winning flags in 2019 and 2022 with the Seagulls.
Elsewhere, YYN has announced 2019 premiership captain Tyler Brown will return to the club after afew years playing for Morwell in the Gippsland League.
Starting to feel like 2011 again: Boolarrahas announced former juniorMat Dyer (pictured playing forBarwon Heads) will playfor the Demons this season. Photograph supplied
Heart-warming homecoming
SIX monthsonfor his horrific injury, Thorpdale’sJason Winderlich is back on his feet and returned to his former AFL club Essendon for afacility tour last Saturday with his family. Recovering strongly from his serious neck injury sustained in the Round 16 Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League match against Toora at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve, Winderlich underwent surgery for abroken neck and spinal cord damage where he had feared for his life. The former129-game Bomber reunited with multiple ex-teammates during the tour, including current player Jayden Laverde and coaches and past players Brent Stanton, Michael Hurley and Ricky Dyson. Winderlich returned to Thorpdale two years ago, undertaking aplaying head coach role with his hometown Blues more than five years after his decade-long AFL career, which began in 2003.
Great to see: Thorpdale’s Jason Winderlich is backonhis feet,and returned to hisold club Essendon at theweekend.
