Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday 11 February 2026

Coalition heart goes on

By LIAM DURKIN

CUE Titanic "I changed my mind" scene.

Hello David

Like many Hollywo od romances however, there are new marriage rules for the on-again-off-againrelationship between the Liberals and Nationals.

Thetwo parties reunited at the weekend, following the secondCoalitionsplit in less than ayear under Sussan Ley's leadership.

Nationals leader David Littleproud had previouslysaidthe Coalition would not reform while Ms Ley remained in the top job.

Ms Ley could still be on borrowed time, but for now at least, all three previously dumped Nationals senators have been reinstated.

Their dismissals were brought on last monthafterthe Coalition failed to come to an agreement on hate speech laws fast-tracked in thewakeofthe Bondi massacre.

Prime MinisterAnthony Albanese is thisweek hosting Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

As part of the reunion, neither party will be able to override adecision of shadow cabinet.

Shadow cabinetcan only be overturned by ajoint Coalition party room, not the Nationals alone.

Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester said the reset had provided clarity for the the two parties.

"I welcomethe decision to re-form the Coalitionbetween the LiberalParty and The Nationals," he said.

"Out of respect to millions of Coalition supportersacross Australia, we tookthe time to get the settings right as part of the negotiations withthe Liberal Party.

"Personally, Itook the view ‘the things that united us, were bigger than the things that divided us’and worked constructively with The Nation als leadership team to help secure this result.

"Everymoment we spend talking about internal party issuesisa free pass to aweak and divisive Prime Minister who has failed to keep his promises to lower energy bills and governfor all Australians.

"As aCoalition, we need to commit ourselves to doing the hard work required to holdthe governmenttoaccount as we engage with all Australians,listen to their concerns, and develop policies that make adifference in people’s lives."

Mr Chesterwill pick up his role of Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs.

"It will take aunitedCoalition team to develop the sensible policies which respect individual choice in Australian families and deliver asafer,stronger, fairer Australia, where everyonecan get ahead," he said.

The split attracted no shortage of criticism from Liberal heavyweights, including Jeff Kennett.

The former Premier was on record as saying Mr Littleproud was "not the shoelace" of former NationalParty leaders Ian Sinclair, Doug Anthony or Peter Nixon.

Mr Ches ter's local colle ague and state Nationals leader, Danny O'Brien meanwhile was caught in the crossfire overthe inaugural Across Victoria Allianceconference held in Horsham at the weekend.

The ev en th ear df ro mr eg ion al Victorians opposingthe state government's controversial emergency services levy.

Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson was unable to attend, leading Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan to claim she was "bullied" by the fact new One Nation man and former NationalsMPBarnaby Joyce was going to be there.

"The Premier seemsobsessed with my diary. Isay to the Premier -focus on the needsofVictorians," Ms Wilson told the Herald Sun

Ms Allan and Labor might have even greater concerns though, as reports filter in that formerPremier Daniel Andrews is in very poor health.

While sources are remaining tightlipped, word on the street telegraph is that the 53-year-old has suffered multiple strokes.

He was reportedly admitted to Monash Clayton Hospital late last year.

MorePOLITICS -Page4

By KATRINABRANDON

FREQUENT rumbles are upon us.

Moe felt a3.0-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, February 3.

More than 27 reports were relayed to the Geoscience Australia site, earthquakes@ga, near Moondarra Reserve. The earthquake was recorded around 5pm.

Another was felt earlier in the day up north. If fires weren’t enough, a3.1-magnitude earthquake was also recorded in the Dargo-Briagalong area at 8.38am the same day.

GeoscienceAustralia Seismologist HughGlanville toldthe Express,“The magnitude three in Moe was feltalittle more widely,fromMoe overtowards Melbourne."

“Depending on the time of day, how shallow the earthquake is andwhere peopleare living, they can feel earthquakes at afurther distance with these magnitude threes, which aren’t damaging, but can be felt widely if conditions are right for it to be felt that far.”

Collecting the data, Mr Glanville said this type of earthquake is relatively common in the region and isn’t unusual for the area.

He also said thatthey aren’t following up on any large earthquakes, nor has there been any aftershock recordings of any unusual magnitudes.

Recording “felt reports” on abroader scale, he

Tremble: Reportsshowthatboth Moe and Briagalong felt

magnitudethree earthquakes on Tuesday, Februar y3

said, there is sensitive instrumentation around the region, so that magnitude three earthquakes can be recorded up to 100 kilometres away.

Within200km of theearthquake near Briagalong, Mr Glanville saidthatover the last 20 years, GeoscienceAustralia has recorded up to 300

earthquakesinthe region, averaging 15 earthquakes ayear, with the majority “quite small”.

The last significant earthquake to hit the Moe area was in June 2012, when a5.4/5.5-magnitude earthquake was felt.

Coverage of the earthquakemadethe front page of the Express at the time. The 5.5 was the largest to hit in more than 100years, accordingtocoverage In more recent times,the largest earthquake recorded was amagnitude 5.9 on September22, 2021,locatednear Woods Point,about 120km north of the Latrobe Valley.

The Express covered the quake, which was felt throughout Victoria and as far away as Canberra, Adelaide and Tasmania.

It was reported to be ashallow quake, reaching adepthof10km, with arecord 40,000 ‘felt reports’ recorded. Ten aftershocks, with magnitudes up to 4.1, were recorded in the daysfollowingthe main earthquake, with authoritieswarningof more possible.

The 2021 earthquake was said to be the largest in the past 30 years, particularly in south-east Australia.

While results show that minor earthquakes have become more frequent in local areas, earthquakes can’t be “predicted” or measuredtoreassure people about when more will occur.

For more information, go to: https://earthquakes ga.gov.au/

Militaryanniversaries coincide this week Did youfeelthe Earth shake?

TWO significant military events with acommon theme coincide this week.

One is Australia wide and the other, closer to home.

NationalServicemen’s Dayisthis Saturday (February 14) when people pausetoacknowledge the service and sacrifice of all National Servicemen and the families who support them.

It is the 75th anniversary of the beginning of National Service in 1951.

National Servicemen, also known as ‘Nashos’, wereanintegralpartofAustralia’s armed forces during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, serving in Australia, Borneo, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam.

The same week also marks 65 years since the Riptragedythatsaw the search andrescue of more than 70 commandos from aferocious sea inside and outside Port Phillip Heads.

It was one of the bay’s largest rescue operations, if not the biggest. With the loss of only threelives it was atributetothe fortitudeand qualityof training of the men.

The nexus between the two February commemorations is that many of the commandos struggling forsurvival on that night were National Servicemen.

Moe South resident Peter Beasley and Barry Higgins from Traralgon completed their fulltime National Service at Puckapunyal in July 1959 and transferred to the Commandos.

Little did they know what lay ahead.

In mid-February 1960 they were at their annual camp with the many other NS membersoftheir unit.

Amongthe skillsthey were perfecting off the Lonsdale Bight in the watersofPort Phillipwas diving and small craft handling.

At the same time they spent many days practicing raid tactics, under their officers and senior

NCOs, anumberofwhomhad served in WW2 and the Korean conflict.

In the week before the planned amphibious raid on Portsea theCompany had done a50-kilometre forced navigationmarch across the Bellarine Peninsula in aday of over 30 degrees heat. They were fit, highly trained young men.

A couple of hours into the evening incursion a fierce eight-knot tide caught the raiding party and swept it out to sea through the Rip. The turning tide was met head-on by the prevailing south-westerly wind, and huge waves -later estimated at 10 metres -pushedtheir crafts backwards, and capsized them.

Many of the two-man crews were picked up by larger safety craft, leaving their abandoned kayaks to drift away, only to have their rescue vessel overturned or swamped by the huge seas.

An army workboat rescued Peter Beasley from his two-man kayak.

He later described his experience.

“Ted Malone washeld frombehind by his webbing belt as he stretched across the stern of the vessel and hauled me across the workboat’s slowly spinning propeller," he said.

BarryHiggins was pulled semi-conscious by his comrade Ian Halliburton, from under their upturned Zodiac inflatable that had capsized in the middle of the Heads.

Barry had been stunned by the craft’s wooden boom when the Zodiac overturned.

After ahead count, the men clung to the side of their upturned boat.

Later,far enough outinBassStrait thatthe sea had subsided to alarge swell, they managed to climb on top of the upturned craft. Shortlyafter, the pilot shipAkuna’s searchlight settled on their capsized Zodiac and they were taken aboard.

The Queenscliff lifeboat bell rang at about 8pm that evening and most of the community believed

it wasannouncingthe much-anticipated birthof Queen Elizabeth’s third child, Prince Andrew. He was born afew days later, reaching his 65th birthday this month.

As the night wore on men were rescued by passing ships, the Queenscliff lifeboat, the army workboat and asmall flotilla of local vessels.

Afew paddlers made the Portsea shore in their kayaks, but many were picked up fromthe water, or from up-ended boats, many kilometres out in Bass Strait.

In 2000,am emorial was established on Shortlands Bluff at Queenscliff, overlooking the Ripand dedicatedtothe soldiers who had died 40 years earlier.

The memorial commemorates the three men: Warrant Officer George ‘Taffy’ Drakopoulos and Private Roger Wood -whose body was never found -both from 2Commando Company, and the driver of the DUKW, Private Eddie Meyer, 41 Amphibious Platoon, Royal Australian Service Corps.

Nearly 20,000 National Servicemen served in Vietnam, includingmanyLatrobe Valley young men.

Some of those who returned home carried the scars of battle, either literally or in theform of mentalconditions suchasPTSD.Some did not return.

Joe Manicola was born in Yallourn and grew up in the Valley.

After National Service training he was posted to Vietnam in December 1968.

Soon after he was taken to the Field Hospital in Phuoc Tuy with acranial tumour. He was transferredtothe RepatriationGeneral Hospital at Heidelberg and sadly died in March 1969, aged 22.

Other localsserved in Vietnamasregular army men who had enlisted in the Forces as

professional soldiers. Sadly, someofthem did not return.

Originally from South Gippsland, Graham Vibert attended secondary school in Traralgon before being conscripted,and waswounded in action during his Vietnam service in 1967. Ian Caines,who has been very active in the Moe RSL and veterans’affairs, andRob Batten, both becameGippsland TAFEinstructors after service in Vietnamduring 1967-68.

Many other local men served with courage and fortitude in Vietnam, and contributed greatly to theirlocal communities on their return.

Among these are: Frank Balcombe, Jeffery Blythman, Terry Hunter, PeterWight, Bill Ludbey, Eugene Malone, Bruce Jeffery -and many more.

Bruce Jeffery related:

“A few years ago the Morwell RSL had about 60 ex-National Service Vietnam veterans.Sadly the number has dropped down to about adozen."

With the attrition of time the situation is similar in other towns in the Valley and Gippsland. This Sunday(February 15), former National Servicemen will assemble at the Shrine of RemembranceinMelbourne at 11.45am to march off at 12 noon, with aflyoverbythe RAAF museum from Point Cook.

Following refreshments,the guest speaker will be Dave Sabben, who served in Vietnam as aNational Servicemanand was aPlatoon Commander during the battle of Long Tan. This year in August seesthe 60th anniversary of the time-honoured Long Tan encounter.

On Sunday, February 22, the Australian Commando Association Victoria will conduct its annual Rip memorial pilgrimage at 11.30am at ShortlandsBluff in Queenscliff, with lunch afterwards at the Queenscliff Bowls Club. Lest We Forget.

Pet health in spotlight after reports of parvovirus

By KATRINA BRANDON

REGULAR health check-ups are essential for our furryfriends

To help keep local pets healthy, the RSPCA held ahealthy petsday at the MorwellNeighbourhood Houselast month.

The day provided freecheck-ups, dog and cat vaccines, pet food, and behavioural advice for local pet owners in need.

“Thisisour 21st healthy pet day event,” RSPCA Victoria Education and Community Outreach Manager, Dr Lauren Roberts, told the Express

“We’ve been to this location four times. We offer free health checks,vaccinations, and microchipping to concession card or pension card holders. The idea is that we’remaking preventative veterinary care more accessible and more affordable.”

Generally,DrRoberts said that traditional clinics may cost $50 just for aconsultation and vaccination, and sometimes more, with pets also feeling the pinch and pressure of going to the clinic.

The fre ec linic, funde db yt he Pet Barn Foundation, provided aless stressful environment for pets and offeredfree supplies,such as toys and pet food.

“They're not as stressed as they may be usually

when they go to atraditional vet clinic,"DrRoberts added.

“We've got areally great community team, and part of what we do is connect with people.Soabig part of what we do with healthy pet days is taking thetime to sit down and connect with people, talk with them,and connect them with human welfare services.

“We often do healthy days at community centres, at neighbourhood houses, and try to link them in withhuman welfaresupport. So onceweleave the area, they're still connected, and they can still get the help that they need.”

One common trend the clinic has seen is that affordable preventive veterinarycare is asignificant need. Due to cost-of-living pressures, Dr Roberts said she has found that althoughitissuper critical to get pets the care they need, preventive care is often marked as not super critical unless it is affordable.

Unfortunately, she said that, years later, the clinic oftenfinds it is stillunaffordable,which increases the risk of disease.

Another thing Dr Roberts said they had noticed was that there are lots of de-sexed pets coming through, also due to costs.

Station works causing confusion

In question: TheTraralgon station over pass

By AIDAN KNIGHT

THE current state of the TraralgonRailway Station is prompting some confusionamong commuters and locals passing by the station.

The Express has received letters regarding the works thatappear to be taking place on the overpass section of the complex, allowinga connection for both platformsand ashortcut to the CBD for pedestrians and train passengers, is suddenly undergoing further works.

The overpass was first opened on April 29, 2023, as the first wave of works donealong the Gippsland Line at the time, while minor works were declared to continue for amatter of months around Traralgon station.

Further works occurred on both the overpass andthe station as awhole,though it remained in use for much of 2025 in the lead-up to the opening of theMetro Tunnel, which was planned to coincide with many sections of Victoria's Big Build project. This included the extensive Gippsland Line

works, which saw anew platform at Morwell station and the conversion of Pakenhamstation to araised-platform. Now, residentsreport their dissatisfaction at the closure of the overpass as works currently take place to extend the walls on each side of the stairs.

"This multimillion-dollar structure, which was finished months late and Iassumeoverbudget, is now having another renovation. Surely this should have been included in the original design?" one local lamented.

The same reader told the Express they are concerned about the amount of taxpayer money expended on such works, and could be minimised if planned more efficientlyfrom the start.

The overpass itself is 45 metres long, weighing 104 tonnes, featuring four lifts, stairs and weather protection requiredtoqualifythe Traralgon precinct as an accessible station. The state government was askedfor comment, but did not respond before deadline.

“The vet project,they attended thiscentreon afairly regular basis, and they offer subsidised de-sexing, which is about $50, which is something we've been able to do as an add-on to healthy pet day,” she said.

“Unfortunately,they weren't available for this particular event, but when we come back, that's something that we're hoping to bring with us.

“It's (desexing) something that Iwould encourage people to talk to their vets about. We would always encourage desexing. Unfortunately, there are alot of unwanted animals, and desexing helps reduce them.You have to weighthe prosand cons. So,for instance, if it's about auditing to prevent unwanted litters, reduce the rate of cancer, and so on,and they're more likely to spray or to create problem behaviours that could be rectified through desexing, maybe that's the better approach than waiting.”

Morwell local CarolMoyes attendedthe day, and told the Express it was great to have the clinic in Morwell.

“One of the ladies who works here sent me the link for it, and it was just amassive relief off our shoulders because it's not cheap to go and get your animals done,” she said.

“Everyone here is so lovely. At aclinic, it feels like a hospital, whereas here, it feels like home It’s just wonderful.”

Pet health was heightened recently, after cases of parvovirus were reported in Heyfield.

Formoreinformation go to: https://rspcavic.org/ healthypet/

Police Beat withKatrina Brandon

Moe car fire

FIRE Rescue Victoria (FRV) responded to an incident in Moore Street, Moe at 10.07pm on Wednesday, February 4, after calls to Triple Zero (000) reported acar fire.

Firefightersarrived on scene within four minutes to findtwo vehicles side-by-side that were well alight.

Crews worked swiftly to contain the fireand make the scene safe.

The incident was deemed under control at 10.21pm.

The scene was then handed to the Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit detectives.

Emergency services responded to reports of two cars alight in acarpark near Kirk Streetabout 10pm.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remains ongoing.

Anyone with vision, further informationorfootage is urged to contactCrimeStopperson1800333 000 or report via: www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

One Nation,one vision forVictoria

By LIAM DURKIN

YOU just know Ned Flanders would be aOne Nation voter.

Morwell welcomedaturnout of around 50 people to hear from local One Nation members at the weekend.

The crowdwas mostly hardcoreconservatives over the age of 60, deckedout in flannel shirts and MAGA-style hats representing the 'salt of the Earth' types the party appeals to.

As polls keep indicating however,supportfor One Nation is growing, as more and more people from all walks of life switch allegiances.

This was exemplified by one woman in attendance, who wore a'let women speak' t-shirt and openly disclosed she was from the left, to the meeting.

The event acted as amembership drive as the days tick down to November's state election.

Baw Baw ShireCouncillorBen Lucas, who defected from the Liberal Party to join One Nation last year, spoke passionately and reasonably, telling the crowd the party needed to take a'slow and steady winsthe race approach' to haveany chance.

"There is along way to go fromnow until

November, (but) as soon as the gates open, we're going," he said.

As per the party's political bent, Mr Lucas took aim at political correctness.

Borrowing from the most outspoken politician on the subject, he rhetorically asked the crowd how many genders there was, before making an 'acknowledgement'.

"To the people who came to our Drouin meeting,"hesaid, smiling wryly after delivering the punchline.

Greg Hansford, who ran for One Nation at last year'sfederal election in the seat of Gippsland, also spoke, as did fellow One Nation member and local political commentator/agitator (depending on your definition) Taylah Ling.

Mr Hansford took questions from the floor, where virtuallyevery question was(predicably) related to renewable energy and sex-based rights.

It was reiterated that the local trio were not authorised to officially speak for One Nation, and referred to party policies on the issues raised.

On climate change however, notions that "it's a scam" were continuously pedalled.

"If there is global warming, then we say it should be reflected in alarge number of places in different

Themajorityare fedup: Dean

COMMENT

BY ROWANDEAN

AT what point do people of British, or European, or part-British, or part-European ancestry who were born in Australia, as Iwas, finally say: ‘enough is enough?’

I’ve had enough of being told that my homeland, my birth right, does not belong to me.

I’ve had enough of watching people whose ancestors did not cultivate this land, didnot build this land, did not die for this land, telling me that I’m an illegitimate resident of my own country.

I’ve had enough of watching the beautiful streetsand landmarks of this country,which is my countryand your country, and my and your birth right, daily and weekly being sullied, defamed, denigrated, despised, demonised and trashed; and as the left are so fond of saying: ‘disrespected’.

Youdonot havethe right to accept my hospitality. You do not have the righttoaccept my generosity, accept my freedoms, accept my tolerance, and then turn around and spit in my face -literally or even figuratively.

I’ve had enough of switching on the tele to be harangued andharassedabout my background, my upbringing and my beliefs.

I’ve had enough of being embarrassed to say what Ireally think about the disappearance of the great Aussie larrikin spirit, that once thrived in our suburbs, our supermarkets, at ourbus stops and in our servos.

Acommunityspiritthat relied on no more than awry comment, athumbs up,oraknowing wink.

I’vehad enough of not speakingmymind, of choosingmywords ever so carefully, of overthinking the potentialmeanings, of the potentialoffence my words might cause to some miserable galah.

I’vehad enough of apologies, I’ve had enoughof sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, I’ve had enough of selfflatulatingpoliticians and berating authorities.

I’ve had enough of ‘you can’t do this’, and ‘you can’t do that’, and ‘the council says no to this’, and ‘the council says no to that’.

I’ve hadenough of ‘but on the other

hand’.And I’ve really,really had enough of ‘but you can’t say that these days’.

I’ve had enough of pretending peoplewho have certain sexual preferencesorpeccadillosare somehowmagically lifted to ahigher plane of morality.

I’ve had enough of the dangerousand frequently grotesque mass self-delusions pedalled to vulnerable young people in the nameofprogress, civil rights and sexual self-identification.

I’ve had enough of walkinginto bookshopsand then walking out again because their shelvesare crammed with turgid, woke drivel.

I’vehad enough of being toldI must respect foreign values and alien practices that Ihave no time for. I’ve had enough of hearing lies and reading little placards full of woke BS in every museum, at every art gallery or exhibition Ivisit.

I’ve had enough of random strangers on airlines and town halls at otherwise enjoyable events force feeding me afabricated reverence for anon-sensical historical proposition built on aritualised and largely invented ceremony.

I’ve had enough of people pouring into this country from some of the worst placesonEarth, being housed, being put on welfare, set up for life, all at my expense, your expense, and at the same time, it’s nigh-on impossible for most people over acertain age, from the anglosphere, to have any realistic hope of moving here.

I’ve hadenough of councils flying flags with pink triangles on them.

I’ve hadenough of the stupidity that’s sees us kidding ourselves, that the way to asecure energy future, is by pushing water uphill.

I’ve had enough of the idiocy that believes you save theAustralian bush by destroying it.

I’ve had enough of the hypocrisy, the humbug and the self-hatred that festers in this country, fuelled by the institutional forces of the rabid left who havedestroyed what was once so beautiful and so magnificent -this country.

Rowan Dean is an Australian conservative commentator working for SkyNews. The above are extracts from apiece-tocamera he delivered on Friday, February 6.

Letters:Pages 28-29

climate zones but in Australia that appears not to be the case," One Nation's official policy states.

"We are the only political party to question climate science."

One Nation will be aiming to capitalise on record popularity, which on one recentRedbridge poll had partyleader Pauline Hansonasthe mostpreferred leader in the entire country.

Ms Hanson has recruited former South

Leonard tees off at “hypocritical” Libs

ELECTION disclosures released by the AEC this month show the Liberal Party spent more than $212 millioninthe 2025federal election.

Labor spent around $160 million.

Unlike independentcandidates, political parties are not required to disclose how much they spend in individual electorates.

In Monash alone, it is understood the Liberal Party poured morethan$1million into its eventual winning campaign.

Independentcandidatefor Monash Deb Leonard led ahighly-publicised race, funded mainly by Climate 200, who chipped in close to $1 million alone.

Ms Leonard, who disclosed everydonation in real time before election day, was quick to take aim at her opponents once the disclosures were released.

“It’s incredibly hypocritical for the major partiestocriticisemefor receivingdonations,”she said “when they take vastlymore money from coal interests, billionaires, gambling companies and media moguls -and deliberately keep voters in the dark about it until after the election.”

Disclosuresshowed Liberal Partydonations included more than $5 million from Cormack Foundation (an investment arm for the Liberal Party), $1.3 million from an entity of the billionaire Lowy family, while billionaire Pam Hall donated over $5 million to the party.

Billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart donated more than $1 million to the Liberal Party and entities that support the party.

Coal Australiadonated $4.2 million dollars to

entities thatsupported the Liberal campaign

The Liberal Partyalsoreceived substantial donationsfrom fossil fuel corporations, several mainstreammedia outlets and the major banks.

Billionaire AnthonyPratt donated around $3 million across both major parties, continuing a long pattern of buying influence on both sides of politics.

Major fossil fuel companies -including Woodside, Santos and Adani -donated significantsums to both Labor and the Coalition, despite paying little to no tax in Australia for years. Climate 200 spent atotal of $6.6 million between 34 different candidates.

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation disclosed less than $700,000 of over $3 million it received. Some sums still remain hidden. Close to 40 per cent (36)ofthe Coalition’s $212 million income and 23 per cent of Labor’s funding remains'dark money' with undisclosed sources.

The Liberal Party hit back, saying Ms Leonard's claims had no credibility.

"Dishonest Deb is at it again," aLiberal Party spokesperson said.

"Public advertising tracking services show thatClimate 200 spentmore on onlineadvertising promoting Deb Leonard in Monash than Labor and the Liberals combined.

"However Dishonest Deb has invented fictional numbers about thelocal Liberal Party's campaign, without ashred of evidence or integrity."

Rules are rules, Walhalla residents argue

By AIDAN KNIGHT

BAW Baw Shire Council has come under fire from the Walhalla community, shortly after completing its landslip repair projectinDecember, following the 2022storm eventsthatseverely impactedthe area

Concerns have been raised over whether council breached its own heritage planninglawsfollowing the 2024 installation of aconcrete slab, while simultaneously taking action against individuals within the community for breaches of the same heritage planning guidelines.

The slab was poured in December 2024 to serve as thebase for areplacementpicnic bench in agrassed area, which locals point out already possessed existing infrastructure, and the greater township boasted 22 picnic tables before this.

Under the Walhalla heritage controls, residents say concrete surfaces are not permitted in favour of treatmentssuch as asphalt or stone that are more in keepingwiththe town’s historic character. In response to complaints, council planning staff pointed to clause62.02-1 of the Baw BawPlanning Scheme,which provides an exemption for building work for the estimated cost of $1000 or less, carried out by or on behalf of amunicipality.

The effect of relying on this clauseisthat the works are treated as exempt from normal planning rules and heritage assessment, including the Heritage Overlay that applies to Walhalla.

Residents say the use of concrete at the site is inconsistent withthose controls,and point to earlier works in thesame area- including concrete footpathsinstalled by the shire in 2008- which they claim were also non-compliant.

Michael Leaney, proprietor of the Walhalla Star Hotel and community advocate, has had extensive correspondence withthe shire regarding this issue andothers dating back as far as 2008.

Mr Leaney has had letters to the editor published in both the Express and the Warragul Drouin Gazette on asimilar (connected) issue relating to the aforementioned park benches. It should be noted that Mr Leaney is aformer Baw Baw councillor and mayor, and as such is well versed in council communications practices. Mr Leaney has not worked withcouncil since his term as mayorendedin2022.

Mr Leaney says he first raised concerns with council on October 31, 2024, providing photographs “the day the concretewas poured” and advising officers that “you can’t do this” under the Walhalla planning scheme.

He says both the Walhalla &Mountain Rivers Tourism group and Walhalla Heritage League share his view that the use of concrete at the site is inconsistent withthose controls,and point to

earlier works in thesame area- including concrete footpathsinstalled by the shire in 2008- which they claim were also non-compliant.

Mr Leaney told the Express that despite lodging an initial complaintabout “illegal works in Walhalla” in late 2024, it was not until June 13, 2025 that he received asubstantivewritten response outlining aproposed fix.

In that June respon se ,cou ncil offic er Dan Hammond advised that he had met another community representative, “RobatStringersPark”, andthat “The good news is that [we] have come to an agreement and aplan to move forward. The pads will be surfaced with ablack wearingmaterial below the new tables …”, so as to retain the 'dated' look as much as possible.

However, Mr Leaney sayshewas neither contacted nor invited to that meeting, despite being the original complainant and having been told he would be kept informed.

Baw Baw Shire Director of Community Infrastructure, James Robinson, was approached for comment by the Express last week.

"All works have been completed in accordance withplanning regulations," he maintained. "The completed worksdid not require apermit, nor were they subject to assessment under the Heritage Overlay or other planning controls. Council remains in closecontact withthe Walhalla community during planning and delivery of improvement works and has made some minor changes to alignwith community feedback."

Mr Leaney also disputes council’s claim to have remained “in close contact” with the Walhalla community during the works.

“They just fail to evenrespond …they toldme they remain in close contact with the Walhalla community, but they didn’t even includemeinany response,” Mr Leaney said.

It is Mr Leaney's view that council is holding residents to higher standards than themselves, and having informed council ahead of the concrete installation, does not value their admission of error.

"The shire should comply with its own rules," he went on to say.

"Otherwise, why should anyone else? It's hardly the attitude of an organisation that's meant to be driving the World Heritage Listings for Walhalla, to ignore the heritage."

He says emails and phone calls seeking further information and updates were either ignored or met with significant delay.

The Walhalla area falls under th ez oning of the Eas tW ar do fB aw Ba wS hir e, represented by councillors Brendan Kingwill,

Adam Sheehan and Kate Wilson (mayor).

The Express attempted to reach Cr Kingwill for comment, but received no reply.

Internal correspondence seen by the Express appears to show council officers acknowledging that the concrete treatment was amistake and that alternative surfacing should have been used.

Other internal emails canvassed options such as asphalt or an “asphalt-look” product to cover the concrete bases, while noting that remedial works near the southerncarpark and toilet blockwould be “more challenging due to height difference.”

The issue has renewed debate around whether councils should be subject to the same planning controls they enforce on residents, particularly in towns withheritage overlays. Where relatively small changes to streetscapes can have significant visual and cultural impact.

Mr Leaney (and the groups he represents) say that until council is required to follow its own heritage rules in practice -not just in policy -confidence in local planningdecisions in Walhalla will remain low.

ISEE YOU

Lion-hearted hay run

By KATRINA BRANDON

ACROSS Victoria,farmers are sending hay to fire-affected communities.

Joining the line, the Lions of Traralgon joined the Australian Hay Runners on January 31, driving from Rosedale to Yea, picking up more runners closer to the drop-off point.

Rolling in online support and awareness of the journey, Lions Club member and Latrobe City Council DeputyMayor DaleHarriman posted on Facebook about the journey.

He said,“It is just absolutely fantastic, rolled out by the Aussie Hay Runners.

(There was) probably about 10 units in front of us and 30 or 40 behind, just heading through Darnum with the convoy started in Rosedale, picked up a few of us in trail, and some more at Traf.

“This is agreat thing to be apart of. This is what Lions is all about.

“Where there is aneed,thereisaLion. There’s ahundred plus utes and acouple of trucks. The bestpartisthat we’re getting so much support, so many cars beeping, not at us, but in support of us and flashing their lights.”

Fro mutes to semi s, hu ndr eds of people joined the convoy heading to Yea, ensuring that there was no shortage of feed heading up for livestock that had survived the fires.

LionsClubofTraralgonmember Kev Taylor said that while it had been agreat day, seeing the devastation of the countryside being burnt was quite emotional.

“One of the blokes we went to hadn’t had any feed for aweek,” he said.

“The real fantastic thing about thisrun is that there are alot of young kids and their utes and their 4WDs that are getting behind this and helping the cause.”

Other convoys have also made their way up to the fire-affected areas, with hay being sent froma ll regions of Gippsland, like the Latrobe Valley and South Gippsland.

South Gippsland Shire Council mayor,

‘‘

Our region was asked to support the Need for Feed Hay Drive to assist fire-affected farmers, and our region delivered.

NATHAN HERSEY

SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE

COUNCIL MAYOR

Nathan Hersey, aided the Lions Club of Strzelecki in its run.

“Ourregionwas asked to support the Need for Feed Hay Drive to assist fire-affected farmers, and our region delivered,” he said.

“From the moment the appealwas announced, donations flowed in from across the region-SouthGippsland, Bass Coast,Baw Baw and further afield -including contributions from farmers who, not long ago, were themselves impacted by drought.

“I am incredibly humbledbythe generosity shown and would like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed.

My thoughts are with the fire-affected communities, and Ihope the donations provide practical support during avery difficult time.”

Fire-affected locals wished to thank those who supported them, saying their efforts haven't gone unnoticed.

Ruffy loca ls Leonie Sande rs and Matthew Leiper hada"lovely little hamlet that the fire has decimated".

For Ms Sanders, this was her first experiencewith bushfires, whereas Mr Leiper has experienced many fires in the past.

Mr Leiper was born and raised in Yinnar South. Working with the Ruffy community, the couple began receiving donations of jerrycans,non-perishables, toiletries, hay and fresh water.

"To all who have donated,thank you so much," Ms Sandersand Mr Leiper said.

"Ruffyisa hive of activity. It’s so odd to see this quiet little hamlet bustling with people and vehicles. Everyone was there either to help or to be helped, or in many cases, both. Haycoming and going. Donations arriving.The kitchenis preparing meals for everyone. Ashower block is being delivered.

"The CFA trucks are heading out to tackle flare-ups. People are collecting donated supplies. Many stories are being told of miracles, of loss, of strength. People are doingwhateverjobs are needed. Much-needed hugs. Muchneeded rea ssura nce. Much- needed sense of community. People providing alistening ear and quiet empathy.

"It is truly heart-warming. Often heartbreaking. But always an absolute privilege to be supporting our community."

For more info rmat ion, go to the Traralgon Lions Club -Supporting Aussie FarmersFacebook page or the Aussie Hay Runners Facebook page.

 LOCAL charity Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) stands ready to assist local residents in the event of bushfires.

Wit hb ush fi res in othe rp art so f Victoria and record temperatures predicted, GERF president, Andy Tegart, saidthere is arealpossibility of aspread of bushfires in Gippsland.

Donations to GERF are tax deductibleand will go entirely to supporting Gip psla nders impacte db ynat ural disasters.

To findout more about GERF or make adonation, visit: www.gerf.org.au

Haythere: Aconvoyoflocal hayrunners on the trip from Rosedale to Yea.

Community spirit best exemplified

By AIDANKNIGHT

TRARALGON CommunityChristmas Parade, Market and Grottos received Community Event of the Year at this year's Latrobe City Council's AustraliaDay Awards.

The event is ahugeeffort by aplethora of dedicated community groups joining forces to provide locals withone spectacularday of festivefun, featuring more than 70 stalls and 30 parade floats. Groups behind the event included:

 Apex;

 Lions;

 Traralgon Community Development Association;

 Royal Exchange Cork Club;

 Rotary;

 Scouts, and;

 Traralgon Central Rotary Club.

The Express spoke to Traral gon Rotary Chairperson, Rae Mackay, who formed apartof the award-winning team.

Mr Mackaysaidone of the greatest strengths of the event is the way it brings different service organisations and Latrobe City Council together.

“Forme, one of the major pluses is that it’s a multi–service-organisation activity,” he said.

“We get along famously well together, and we need alot of people to make this work.”

More than 20 volunteers from Traralgon Central RotaryClubalone came together to make it all happen, with around 60 combined pairs of hands from the combination of clubs.

The parade committee meets regularly to deal with traffic management, risk and emergency managementplans,roadclosurepermits,and coordination with emergency services and public transport.

Restarted in 2019 after abreak of several years,

the eventhas quickly grown into one of Traralgon’s annual highlights, drawingseveral thousand people to the CBD each December.

Despiteinterruptions during theCOVID period, the parade and market has now run successfully formultipleyears, with strong crowds and enthusiastic community support.

Residentsmay be surprisedbythe lengths of the preparation this one day requires,which involves logistics and planning each year starting in June.

Latrobe City Council described the event as "a combined effort from various local community groups working together, to celebrate the joys of Christmas".

On theday the award was presented, Jeeralang Ward Councillor Joanne Campbell and Deputy Mayor andLoy Yang Ward CouncillorDale Harriman made the presentation.

Mr Mackay accepted the award on stage, saying "therecognition for what we do every year,not just the last few" was atestament to the hard work doneby"thedifferentcommunity groups who come together to work over the year fromthe most positivity and joyful place".

"I also need to talk about all the support we get because it's not just about the committee," he continued.

"The committee is just one part of the large jigsaw puzzle that makes the activities that need to get along. Withouttheir contribution (the sponsors)we wouldn't be able to run this -it'saseriously large contributionand theydoagoodjob to virtually make this (all) happen."

Mr Mackayalsowent on to send out athank you to all the volunteers who "went out over that weekendtosupport us to make the event aspecial time, and contributed to make it flow very smoothly".

Independent regulator makes final decision on Marinus Link

THE Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has published its final decisions on construction costs for Stages 1ofMarinus Link and the North West Transmission Developments (NWTD), concluding anear-decadeofanalysis and consultation.

The regulator's assessment confirmsanalysis that Tasmanians and Victorians will be better off with investment in these national infrastructure projects, whose benefitshavebeen extensively tested and costs subject to rigorous scrutiny.

Marinus Link Pty Ltd Chief Executive Stephanie McGreg or welc omed the AER’s dec isi on as

bookendingthe project’s assessment and planning phase, paving the way for full construction.

“We thank the AER for recognising our discipline in managingthe project's construction costs on behalf of electricity consumers,” Ms McGregor said.

“Our role now, as aregulated company and the custodians of national energy infrastructure, is to deliver efficiently, responsibly, and ensure the benefitsare enduring for all Tasmanians and Victorians.

“Preparatoryworks are already underway across our project footprint. This final decision gives us

the confidence to take construction into full swing later this year.”

The AER is responsible for ensuring energy consumers have access to areliable and secure market and thatthey paynomorethan necessary forenergy to their homes and businesses.This is done by setting the maximum amountofrevenue that monopolyelectricity networksand natural gas pipelines can earn from consumers.

The decisions ensure that only prudent and efficient costs will be recovered from customers.

TasNetworks Chief Executive SeánMcGoldrick

said the decision was reflective of the state-owned company’s work in ensuring the NWTD costs are exactly that.

“This outcome underscores TasNetworks’efforts to keep NWTD constructioncosts well-managed at atimewhencost-of-living pressures have never been higher for Tasmanian communities and industry,” Dr Mc Goldrick said.

“The AER’s approval provides revenue certainty and is an important step in reaching financial close and commencing construction in the coming months.

“We continue to finalise concessional finance arrangements with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation,which will significantly reduce the pricing impacts of the project on Tasmanian electricity consumers.”

Late last year, Project Marinus Stage 1advanced to the anticipatedstatusinthe national grid plan, recognising it as an essentialstep change in building areliable, affordable and low-emissions grid. Marinus Link is anational electricityand data interconnector project between North West Tasmania and the Latrobe Valley.

The two-way clean energy highway will combine Victoria’swind and solarwith Tasmania’s flexible hydropower andgeographically diverse wind.

Wild dogs threaten livestock

VICTORIANlivestock producers in bushfire-ravagedparts of Victoria are reporting morewild dog attacksafter devastating fires destroyed critical infrastructure such as exclusion fencing, leaving farm animals more vulnerable to attacks.

VFF Vice President and north-east livestock farmer Peter Star warned that without urgentinvestmentinpredator management and farm infrastructure, livestock losses would continue to rise.

“These bushfires wiped out much of the infrastructurethatwas in place to help keepwilddogs away from livestock and we’re now seeing more and more wild dog attacks on livestock as aresult,” he said.

“Wilddogs are coming out the scorched hillsseeking food and without this separation infrastructure, they’ve got afree run at the vulnerable livestock on farms.

“We urgently needhelp to repair the damage. Without it, these attacks place additional financialand emotional strain on farmersalready recovering fromfire damage."

The VFF is calling for:

 Rapid repair and rebuilding of exclusion fencing damaged by bushfires;

 Coordinated predator management programs across regions to reduce livestock predation;

 Coordinated predator management programs across regions to reduce livestock predation, and;

 Investment in research and on-ground support for sustainable feral dog control in agricultural areas.

“We need practical, evidence-based solutions that protect farms,livelihoods,and rural communities,” Mr Star said.

“Managing feral dogs is about balancing ecosystemswith farming realities and ignoring the problem or focusing on debates over dingo purity will not stop livestock deaths or support rural communities.

“Fa rme rs are not debating whether dingoes are ‘pure’ or hybrids. The reality is their impact on agriculture is very real and when livestock is unprotected, dingoes and feral dogs cause significant losses, particularly to sheep and young cattle."

The VFF says it is committed to working with farmers, government, and conservationgroupstodeliver practicalsolutions that safeguard Victoria’s livestock industry.

Measle sitesdetected

THE Gippsland Region Public Health Unit

(GRPHU) is advising the community of three new measles cases reported in Victoria,with three measlesexposuresites identified in Gippsland, all within Bass Coast.

Anyone who visited one of the listed exposure sites during the specifieddatesand times is urged to monitor for symptoms and follow public health advice.

The mos tu p-to-da te list of measle s exposure sites is available on the Victorian Departme nt of Health web site :h tt ps:// www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/ measles-public-exposure-sites-victoria

Symptoms of measles can include:

 Fever;

 Cough or runny nose;

 Sore or red eyes, and;

 Ared rash (usually appearing afew days later).

Gippsland Region Public Health Unit Director, Dr AlyceWilson, said measles remained an ongoing risk in Victoria and globally.

“We are seeing an increase in measles cases both in Australia and overseas, largely due to reduced vaccinationcoverage in recent years and increased international travel,” she explained.

“Measles is ahighly contagious virus, and even asinglecase can lead to multipleexposures, particularly in community settings.”

Dr Wilson said public health units played a criticalrole in identifying exposure sites, providing

advice to affectedindividuals, and preventing further transmission.

“Public health au thorities have long been responsible for contacttracingand outbreak management -well before COVID-19,” she said.

“What has changed is public awareness of this work. Our role is to identify risk early, notify the community, and support people with clear advice so we can limit the spread of disease and protect those most at risk.”

Dr Wilson encouraged the community to check their vaccination status, particularly adults aged 20 to 59,who mayhave received only one measles vaccinedose as achild

“Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are needed for full protection,” she said.

“If you’re unsure how many doses you’ve had, it is safe to receive another MMR vaccine.”

The GRPHU, with the support of the department of health, is providing free measles vaccinations at participating local council immunisation clinics and pharmacies.

Elig ible people can boo ka t: ht tps:// lrh. com.au/gippsland-region-public-health-unit/ free-measles-vaccines/

Vaccination is also stronglyrecommended for anyone who is planning to travel.

Routine vaccinations, including MMR,should be up to date, with vaccination ideally completed at least two weeks before departure.

Guaranteeing TAFE’sfuture

MINISTER for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney has announced she is introducing abillthat will change the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 to ensure aFree TAFE Guarantee is included in the Act.

Morethan225,300studentshavebenefitted from free TAFE in Victoria since it began in 2019.

Free TAFE is key to Victoria’seconomic success, and addresses workforce shortages in areas that are importanttoVictorians, likeconstruction, education, caring and clean energy.

“This bill will ensure that future generations of Victorians can benefit from cost-of-living relief while preparingtojointhe pipeline of skilled

workers we need to meet Victoria’s goals,” Minister Tierney said.

The free TAFE programhas playeda critical role in making the skills and training sectormore inclusive.

At the last election, the state government promised to enshrine aTAFE funding guarantee in legislation.

Thelegislation will see70per cent of all government vocational education and training funding allocated to TAFE

The state government has invested $16 billion in new and base funding in Skills and TAFE since coming to government in 2014.

Hi, I’m Jeff from TM& HMitre 10,Moe

After more than 50 years in hardware, gardening has become areal passion of mine.

As well as celebrating Valentine’s Day, February is one of the hottest and driest months in Gippsland, and an important transition period from summer into autumn.

Alittle extra care now will help keep your garden healthy and productive.

In door Pla nts& Va lentin e’sDay

•Place plants in bright, indirect light

•Water only when the top few centimetres of soil feels dry

•Avoid overwatering

•Wipe dust from leaves regularly

Tip: Iuse amoisture meter or my finger to check soil before watering.

Wateri ng &Hyd

rati on

•Water earlyinthe morning or late in the evening

•Deep watering is better than shallow watering

•Installing adripirrigationsystem gives better results and makes watering easier

What To Pla nt Now–Veg etables

•Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and g peas

•Kale, spinach and lettuce

•Leeks and silverbeet

•Carrots and beetroot

Beans, zucchini and cucumbers can still be planted while the soil is warm.

My tip: Use seedlings for brassicas for quicker results.

Fl ow ersToSow

•Marigolds

•Iceland poppies

•Quick-growing annuals

Deadhead regularly to encourage more flowers.

Roses&O rna ment als

•Remove spent blooms to encourage autumn flowering

•Apply rose or complete fertiliser

•Water well

Tip: Liquid feed every two weeks during summer.

Soil Improvem ent

•Add com ppost or well-rotted manure

•Use organic soil conditioners

•Mulch Garden beds to retain moisture

•Check pots, hanging baskets and new plants daily as they dry out quickly

Tip: Mulch keeps roots cooler and reduces how often you need to water.

Pest &DiseaseControl

•Watch for aphids, caterpillars, whitefly and mites

•Check the undersides of leaves

•Use eco-friendly sprays or insecticidal soap

•Keep plants well fed and healthy

Tip: Check plants while you are watering –it only takes aminute.

•Sow green peas in empty beds to dig in later as green manure

Fr uit Tree Ca re

•Deep water regularly

•Check for pests

•Remove fallen fruit

•Use bird netting to protect ripening fruit

Visit us in-store to see our range of indoor plants, decorative pots and plant care products –perfect for Valentine’s Day gifting or treating yourself.

Alittle effort in February will reward you with healthier plants and asmooth transition into autumn gardening. Happy gardening!

JeffreyHitchins

Ta ke aB re ak

ONE POINTERS

BRAIN STRAIN

1. What is the name of aportable computer thatfolds?

2. What is meteorology thestudy of ?

3. What is the term forharmful softwaresuch as viruses?

4. In the 1998 movie ‘Twins’ who starredasArnold Schwarzenegger ’s twin?

TWOPOINTERS

5. James Gandolfini starsinwhatseries about thelifeofaNew Jerseymob boss?

6. Which famous South African leader wasimprisoned for27 years beforebecoming president?

7. In the phonetic alphabet, what word represents the letter N?

8. In the movie ‘Speed’ who is the female actor thatstarred alongside Keanu Reeves?

THREE POINTER

9. Who is Queensland named in honour of ?

10.What is the capital of Finland?

11. In what country is Transylvania?

12. Beginning with Kwhatname is given the the central tower of acastle?

FOUR POINTER

13. What boxer’sfive sons all have thesame firstname as he does?

14. Which Italian brand is famous forits Medusa head logo?

FIVE POINTER

15. What arethe top5countries with the highestland mass? One point foreach correct answer.

Howdid youfare?

37: Topofthe class; 30-36: Outstanding; 21-29: Well done; 15-20: Solid effort; 9-14: Room forimprovement; 0-8: Hit the books.

13: geGeor man;reFo 14: 5:;1cearsVe sia,us.R-1 -2. nada,Ca 4.,-nahi.C-3 edUnit es,atSt -5. azilBr

Bullock; 9: Queen oria;ctVi 10: Helsinki; 11: a;nimaRo 12: ;epKe

5: The anos;Sopr 6:Nelson la;Mande 7: mber;veNo 8: andrSa

rs:weAns 1: eather;:W;2opLapt 3: e;arlwMa 4: o;iteVyDnnDa

Howtoplay

Using the9 lettersin thegrid, howmany wordsoffour letters or more canyou list? Thecentrelet termust be included andeach letter maybeused onlyonce. No colloquialorforeign words. No capitalisednouns, apostrophesorplural wordsending in ‘s’.

Tiny towns,big grant opportunities

THE state government is giving Victoria’s smallest towns an extra month to apply for aTiny Towns Fund grant, offering regional communities more time to apply for support to help improve their towns.

Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes has announced that applications for Round 3of the $20 million Tiny Towns Fund have been extended by four weeks and will now close at 4pm on Wednesday, March 4.

Grants of between $5000 and $50,000 are available to towns with fewer than 5000 people for projects that provide more opportunities to connect, attract visitors, improvefacilities and deliver infrastructure upgrades.

Minister for DevelopmentVictoriaand Precincts and Member for EasternVictoriaRegion, Harriet

Shing added that the grantsprovide aboost to regions.

"The Tiny Towns program is all about helping families and communities to connect by creating facilities and spaces that encourage pride in place,” she said.

The application extension is part of the state government’sbroader response to support communities impacted by bushfires and floods.

The federal and state governments have announced more than $100 million in recovery payments, grants and initiatives.

The Tiny Towns Fund is apartofa $47 billion investment over the past decade in projects and programsthat support regional and ruralVictoria.

Applications for aTiny Towns Fund grant can be submitted at: rdv.vic.gov.au/tiny-towns-fund

Cost-of-living hitting pockets hard

NEW data from the Mission Australia Youth Survey Report 2025 has highlighted the growing toll the cost-of-living crisis is taking on young Victorians and their families.

The survey,which gathered responses from around 4500 Victorians aged 14 to 19, found cost-of-livingisnow the most important issue facing young people.

Concernhas surged to 64 per cent, more than double the 31 per cent recorded in 2023, demonstrating the rapidescalation of financial stress being felt across households.

The findings show young people are acutely aware of the pressures facing their families, from struggling to pay everyday bills to juggling rising food, electricity and housing costs.

Many are witnessing parents under strain, working longer hours while trying to manage childcare, school commitments and household budgets.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the results should be awake-up call.

“It is unusual for our younger generation to have cost-of-living at the top of their issues list, but the reality is young people are seeing first-hand how tough it has become for their parents just to keep their heads above water,” Mr Bull said.

“This is no doubt ad ire ct re sult of the myri ad of ne wt axes we have in Vi ctor ia that do not exist in other states -a so ur

Tough: Youngpeopleare being hit hardby cost-of-livingpressures Photo: iStock

government struggles to pay the massive debt it has racked up (heading towards $192 billion with interest repayments alone of $28m per day).

“Working families are being stretched from every direction, with rising bills, unaffordable childcare andworkloads that leave parents exhausted and stressed.”

Mr Bull said the outlook for young people was particularly concerninggiven stagnant wages and persistently high housing costs.

Send in your babypics

h tl d

The look of love, together for 65 years

By PEACE IJIYERA

ENGAGED after one date and married after five months, Moe locals, Ronald and Ruth Pollard are celebrating 65 years of marriage.

Fittingly, their anniversary falls on the day this paper is published (February 11).

Married since 1961, the couple have lived a“full life”, and the love still radiates from their eyes.

The couple met after afriend turned matchmaker, recommended Ms Pollard to Mr Pollard.

Mr Pollard wastold that Ms Pollard was“apretty good girl”.

Determined to not miss his chance, he acted on it.

Finding her brother's “tiny” two door Renault, Mr Pollard knocked on the window and asked a lifechangingquestion:“Ruth, would you go out on adatewith me?”, he said. To which Ms Pollard replied, “yes”.

Their first date was at aSundayschool concert.

Mr Pollard was 23 and Ms Pollard, 20 when they tied the knot.

It was straight from the altar to the airport for the couple,asMrPollard wasworking on aproject for achurchinNew Zealand. Ms Pollard jokes that she was left alone fortwo weekstofend for herself “in astrange country”.

The Pollards took ‘be fruitful and multiply’ very seriously,having 10 children-nine of them boys. Their daughter was adopted after the chances of having agirlappeared slim.

“After we had five boys,wedecided thatthere was littlechance of havinga girl naturally,the opportunity cametoadopt agirl and so we jumped at it”, Mr Pollard said.

As you can imagine, raising 10 children was no walk in the park.

Though describing it as “hardwork”, Ms Pollard says being amother is her greatest reward.

“To be amother, to me, is one of the best things you can do," she said.

Luckily for the Pollard’s, their children were well behaved and didn’t give them much trouble.

“They were allgood kids,they were all hard workers," Mrs Pollard said. “They still are," added Mr Pollard

So,what’s thesecret to 65 years of marriage?

Communication,respect,enjoying each other company, and having asense of humour, the Pollard’s say.

“We made apactwhenwegot married. We said that we would not go to bed at night without resolving any difference that we had …wehave

Love, literature and the human complex

By LIAM DURKIN

IN what may come as asurprise to some readers, Express journalist Liam Durkin does have asoft side.

Well, he was forced to have one at least during his university days.

Thefollowing are responses to essay questions and fellow students as partofhis professional writing degree.

These were penned when he was just 20-yearsold, long before becoming asupposed soulless, heartless newshound.

What, if anything, differentiates friendship from romantic love?

FRIENDSHIP and romantic love share similar qualities, yet thebiggest differential between the two remains the fact that romantic love is dominated more so by intimacy and adesire to fulfil the needs of another human being.

The most simplistic reasoning in analysing this issue is the fact that romantic love between couples forms astrongerconnection (that can, in the case of marriagewithout divorce, remain unbreakable) than asimple friendship. Romantic love between two human beings shares with it ahigher level of compassion and understanding than most friendships.

Valuation then, remains the fundamental issue in deciphering this difference between friendship and romantic love. Friendship may at times be dictated by aperson’s view on them. Often friends become friends because they share similar personal traits and values, such as the support of the same football team. In the case of romantic love however this ‘sharing’ of values is more of an admiration thatdraws people together to forma strong holding, such as dreams of future ambition.

Romantic lovers desire that their beloved are happy in order for them to also be happy. Simple friendships do not rely on this ultra-dependence so much. Friends may simply be friends because they often see each other at work or even just at alocal establishment, whereas romanticlovers will experience more significant moments such as sharinga mealorsleeping together. This intimacy and desire to fulfil one another’s happiness remains the greatestdifferential between romanticlove and friendship.

Is it possible to maintain your individual identity if youare in love?

IAGREE with Nozick’s analogy that partnership between two sexes is like ateam working toward a common goal. Without the fundamental elements of unity, hard work and discipline -socommon in team sports -romantic love cannot be sustained for any meaningful period of time. Alex makes agood point when he explains that ‘in the modern world women do no surrender their individual identity as much as they have in the past’. In many cases women work just as manyweekly hours as men and are still required to maintain domestic duties. In the circumstance of the dominant male, there will always lie aserious concern for the maintenance of individualityinwomen. However if we are categorising the types of love that thesesorts of relationships entail we cannot seriously label this sort of relationship as romantic. Lovers should be freetoexpress themselves in any manner that they wish. That is the purpose of fallinginlove after all: to shareincommon interestswith asignificant other for an extended period of time.

Icannot refute any of the points Alex has made in his post and Ifully support his well thought out contention that it is possible to maintain individual identity whilst in love -provided both partners work hard toward achieving acommon ambition. If it is trulylove then those partners within arelationship will be able to maintain individuality without the risk of putting their livelihood and their own wellbeing in jeopardy.

Is romantic love based on reasons or is it essentially irrational?

WHILST there are cases of couples falling in love through reasonsofchance,coincidence or even luck, romanticloveis, forthe most part, arational setofprocesses that -asAlexhas pointed out -are shared common interestsranging from beliefs, values and habits.

The strongest part in Paul’s responsetothe questionrelates to the debate between irrationality and rationality. ‘All aspects of lifeare connected rationally, identifying choices thatcoexist between lovers’. It is through this that we underpin what is trulymeantbyromantic love. Thekey word remains ‘connection’, which is themost paramount element of any romantic relationship. Without

maintained that throughout our entire marriage," Mr Pollard said.

“You’ve got to have that communication …ifthe other person's mad at you for something and they don’t tell you, it’s alittle bit hard to sort anything out," Ms Pollard added.

“You’ve got to have asense of humour otherwise it’s very hard to survive."

Mr Pollard, now 88 and Ms Pollard, 85, though she identifies as 65, have 37 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren who they are all very fond and proud of. They say that they love telling them stories of their lives and hope those stories can be be passed on. Even after 65 years of marriage, Mr Pollard still serves his wife and works every day to win her heart.

Mr Pollard has planted more than 100 roses for his wife, wholoves flowers. Everymorninghegets up and picks out the very best.

“He brings me two or three flowers and puts them in avase.

“We have abargain going that he grows all the flowers and Iarrange them," Ms Pollard explained. Reflecting on 65 years of marriage,MrPollard says that “itdoesn’t seem like that long”. Ms Pollard, truly having asense of humour quipped, “I won’t swap you”.

astrongholdbetween partners, no relationship can survive -regardlessofmonetary or sexual benefits. Theconcept of loving what we perceive to be beautiful provides an interesting debate. One mustfirst ask themselves ‘is my heart truly in love because Idesire this person’sbeauty?’The answer is, naturally, foundwithin the question itself, as one cannot possibly maintain aserious relationship based purelyonbeauty. Whilstithas proventobea componentofa stable relationship, there are so many other more important elements that contribute to romanticlove not being irrational. Stabilityremains the key and arelationship built on reason will ensure this stability is maintained. Irrationality is adangerous element when dealing with romantic love. The lovers must embrace each other wholeheartedly, with values based on reason, which will serve to be of great benefit to partnershipswho exemplify the core fundamentals of stability and solidity in arelationship.

Do we love awhole person or aseries of properties?

IALSO agree with Meghan that we love aseries of properties rather than aperson as awhole,simply for the reason of imperfection in us as human beings. We all have cynicisms about ourselves as well as others, whether it be an annoying trait or the way in which we or someone else acts in a certain situation.

If we are talking purely from aromantic viewpoint, then Paulisquiteright in his assessment that we love awhole person in apositive perspective. However, as the law of imperfectability dictates, there will always be an element of discernment between couples during some stage of arelationship or courting. This is in no ways abad thing, as this is what the makeup of life is all about –lifeis challenging whilst enjoyable, this is what makes life and experiencing relationship worthwhile. Ifeelthe notion of ‘agape’ –lovenot basedonthe quality of the beloved –issomewhat redundant in the modern world as an impossibility is certain when dealing with atricky situation such as this. The quality of the beloved is paramount, without this quality there is no sustainable way to maintain the relationship. The meaning of love therefore remains thatwesee the positiveaspects of the personweare in lovewith, whichwill -ifthe relationship is to survive -alwaysoutweigh the negative aspects comprehensively.

Aseries of properties within aperson remains the key element of aromantic relationship, without which, no relationship can be maintained.

By WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

LET me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments; love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove.

Ono, it is an ever-fixèd mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to everywand'ring bark

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come.

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom:

If this be error and upon me proved, Inever writ, nor no man ever loved.

The Gippsland town of Stratford is of course connected to Shakespeare, sharing the name of his birthplace. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire in 1564. Drivers entering Stratford from Sale cross the Avon River -one of the fastest rising in the Southern Hemisphere. It is capable of rising 11 metres in 24 hours. The town hosts the annual Shakespeare on the River Festival every April/May. Shakespeare also played lawn bowls, as alittle fun fact.

The Castle reversed, now planes have to make way for houses

By PEACE IJIYERA

IT'S not amatter of if, but when.

The Latrobe Valley Model Aircraft Club(LVMAC) is looking for anew home, as housing developments in Newborough are posing athreat to its flying field.

Housing developments of two estates, Narracan Lakes and North Quarter,are rapidly evolving, and it's only amatter of time before the land around Lake Narracan becomes residential.

In aproactive approach, the club has toured more than 65 sites, but are yet to find the perfect field. The club's field specifications includes one that faces south, with an east/west strip, nothing to fly over and agood distance away from homes.

Club stalwart Wayne Lewis said they first heard

word of the developments about 10 years ago, and although they have not been explicitly told they'll have to move, it's proving to be obvious.

"The problem is, we can't fly over houses or anything like that. We'll have to move," he conceded.

"Ifwecan find somethingnow, it's better than waiting till we have to be kicked out."

The aero club has been in operation since 1972, and has since served as aplace for model aeroplane lovers to passionately fly their planes, but more than that, create friendships.

This is seen through the members who have consistently shown up over the years flying at different sites. At the moment, the club has 45 members, ranging from ages 13 to 90.

Clubmembers are not opposed to the developments, as progress needs to happen.

"It'sgot to happen, its unfortunately the way life goes," Mr Lewis said.

Members get together midweek on aThursday, andonSaturdays and Sundays from 9am12pm to fly, weather permitting.

Member Steve Loft has been flying at the club sincehewas ateenager.

"I was in the club for ayear in 1982, that's when Ilearnt to fly. Iwent off and did other things, came back in 2017 and got with the new radios and new electric planes it was agood time to come back.

This is the place that Ifly," he said.

"It'll be areal shame to leave."

Fellow member, Ivan Walker said it's a"good friendly club".

"We like to have agood chats and haveconversations about differentthings. it's agood

social club that's close to home," he added. Another problem the LVMAC is facingisthe lack of junior members.

"Unfortunately, we don't have alot of junior members come into the club. We'd love to have junior members, they're thefliers of the future Because we haven't got too many junior members, whoknows how long the club is going to survive," Mr Lewis said.

Acome and try day will be held on March 1 (weather permitting). Bookings are essential and can be done via the club's Facebook page. Club meetingswere previously heldatBarry Felmingham’s Panel Works in Traralgon, and all types of flying were at the club's field at 'Cairnbrook' via Glengarry.

Landholders urged to know their obligations

CHANGEStotaxes and chargesaffecting property came into effect from January 1, 2026, prompting The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien to urge landholders to make sure they understand their obligations.

Mr O’Briensaidwhile The Nationals strongly opposethe new and increased property taxes introduced by the state government, landholders still need to comply with the rules now in force to avoid strict penalties.

“These taxes are unfair and Idon’t support them, but they are now the law and Iwould hate to see Gippslanders further out-of-pocket simply becausethey weren’t aware of areporting obligation change,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Thatmeans landholders need to know what they mustdeclare,whatthey need to pay and when action is required.”

Mr O’Brien saidchangestothe Vacant Residential Land Tax from January 1may affect some Gippsland landholders for the first time.

“Some residentialland, that may have been previously exempt, will now attract Vacant Residential Land Tax (VRLT) if it has remained undeveloped for too long, or if ahomehas been uninhabitable or under renovation for an extended period.

“There is also acommon misconception that you are exempt from VRLTifyou only own one property, but this is not always the case.

“Landholders also need to be aware that vacant residential landmust be declared, even if no tax ends up being payable.”

Mr O’Brien highlighted thatproperty owners involved in short-stay accommodation are also facing new requirements, with new reporting and

paymentobligations depending on how much income the property earns each year.

Mr O’Brien said Labor continues to rely on higher property taxes to fix its budget problems, leaving landholders to foot the bill.

“The Nationalsopposed thesechanges because they increase costsfor families, farmers and small investors,"hesaid.

“Even so,itisimportant thatlandholders take the time to understandtheir obligations and avoid penalties.”

Information about land tax and property-related chargesisavailable fromthe State RevenueOffice online at: www.sro.vic.gov.au/ or by calling 13 21 61.

This field was around 20km from Traralgon on aproperty owned by Ron McColl. The local gliding club was also doing car tows off this 200 acre paddock, about two km long and one km wide.

Sheep farmer fined

AGIPPSLAND sheep farmer has been fined following charges of animal cruelty at the Korumburra Magistrate’s Court recently.

Julian Beasleywas fined $2500 as part of an aggregate sentence and ordered to pay $144.60 in statutory costs.

The charges stem from a2024investigationbyAgricultureVictoriaata Berry’s Creekfarm, where authorised officers found amob of sheep without sufficientfeed or pasture.

One sheep fromthe mob was also observedcarrying more than 250mm of wool indicating that it hadn’t been shorn formorethan two years.

Subsequent visits to the farm indicated further welfare concernswhich Mr Beasley failed to act on despite officers issuing 2 NoticestoComply under the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act 1986.

Agriculture Victoria Compliance Manager Daniel Bode said livestock owners have a moral and legal responsibility to care for animals under their control.

"Victorians have areasonableexpectation that livestock will be cared for by those in charge of them," he said.

"Sheep require specific treatment to remain healthy and to protect them from pain, injury and disease.

"Shearing your sheep is critical to reduce the risk of flystrike,impaired vision, and theirwool gettingstained."

In imposing the fine, Magistrate Mr Starvaggi said despite Mr Beasley’s unblemished record and poorhealth, the offences were extremely serious, and the sheep were enduring ‘catastrophic circumstances.’

Anyone wishing to make aspecific complaint in regard to livestockwelfare can phoneAgriculture Victoriaon136 186 or email: aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Steps taken to address poor state of abandoned pub

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

AT the back of the long closed Merton Rush Hotel, previously known as the Latrobe Valley Hotel, the rear entrance and undercover carpark was ahive for anti-social behaviour in Morwell.

Graffiti, rubbish, broken windows, and abandoned tents could routinely be found behind the vacant building on the corner of Princes Drive and Collins Street over the last few years.

Evidence of fires were even visible withburn marks up the exterior walls.

After many complaints, afence was recently erected (by the private owners of the building) to cover up the entry of the carpark from the footpath, subsequently seeing the occupants movedownthe road to abarbecuearea on Princes Dr.

One concerned local, Laurie Williams said the rear of Merton Rush Hotelhad become a"haven for the homelessness" and become "an ongoing issue".

Hosting his Saturday morning radio show on Gippsland FM,MrWilliams would typically park underneath the old pub, but began to see people congregate around there.

"(I) lookacrosstothe back carpark of the hotel and usually there's rubbish everywhere, there's graffiti, broken windows," he told the Express

"Sometimes there's people talking, yelling, arguing -sometimes there's fires being lit."

Mr Williamssaidthese issues persistedfor nearly three years, but with the fencing put up, the area has been vacated since.

Despite it being cleared, the rubbish left behind still remains.

It has also meant that more individualshave settled at the free barbecue area, which had already become acommonplace for the homeless and other anti-social behaviour.

Mr Williams wonders why there doesn't seem to be any help available for these people.

"There seems to be alot of refuges for all these people, but there doesn'tseem to be arefuge for homeless people," Mr Williams quipped.

Local police, in conjunction with Latrobe City Counci l, unde rtake joint engagemen tw ith individuals sleeping rough to facilitateaccess to appropriate support services, accordingtoa council spokesperson.

These services can assist with housing, complex mental health issues, and access to other relevant support services.

Other local outreach programs have also beenestablished by community members to provide supportfor the homeless- which sometimes can be adiificult task.

Originally opened as the Latrobe Valley Hotel in 1958, it was later renamed to the Merton Rush Hotel due to the localpowerstation workers that often arrived for 'the big rush' after knocking off from their shifts.

While it does have some chequered history, the Morwell pub was known as afamily-friendly establishment, and likeCommericalRoad's boarded-up Morwell Central Hotel, was apokies-lessbusiness.

Itservedasanightclubinonelife,andmostnoteworthy, featured the supposed second-longestbar in Victoria, sprawlingclose to 60 metreswith 14 different beer taps through the bar and bistro.

In 1989, the Merton Rush Hotel was sold to the Carlton United Brewery for multiple millions.

As such, the building still features aCarlton Draught sign poking off the side of it.

In 2011,adrug raid was executed by Morwell police on the premise in relation to an organised drug syndicate across Melbourne suburbs.

Four Morwell men were chargedfor the traffickingofamphetamines.

The Merton Rush Hotel has been closed since 2017.

Worrisome: Homelessnessand other antisocial behaviour became commonplacebehind the long closed Mer tonRush Hotel, Morwell Photograph supplied

Morwell creek litteredwithrubbish

By PEACE IJIYERA

CONCERNED local, Linda Prendergast, is worried about the state of the Morwell Waterhole Creek. Withprevious reportsofrubbish and objects including tractortires,clothes, TVs,trollies and oil drums being seen in and around the creek, Ms Prendergast fears the creek has become adumping ground.

At the time of visiting the creek, many of those objects had been removed, however, Ms Prendergast does not want to see it get thatbad again.She says that she is sick of people “treating Morwell like a dump” and encourages people to stop being “lazy” and pick up after themselves.

Afrequent walker around the area with her dog

Kirra, Ms Prendergast also aimed her frustration at Latrobe City Council.

The cutting down of trees and grasses are maintained by the council; however, Ms Prendergast’s point of contention is that the trees and branches are just left there, creating awelcoming habitat for snakes and other reptiles.

“They (council) just cut the trees down, and they don’t pick them up," she said.

When the grass bec omes ove rgrown, Ms Prendergast said it gets so bad, she feels like “getting awhipper snipper and doing it" herself.

Ms Prendergast is also concerned aboutthe welfare of the wildlife around the area. She spoke

Let’shelp clean up Australia, MP urges

Helping hand: Locals arebeing encouraged to getinvolvedinlocal clean up events Photograph: iStock

CLEAN Up Australia Day will take place on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Communities across the nation are once again set to come together to help protect and care for the environment.

Memberfor Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien is encouraging localstoget involved following the strong success of last year’s clean-up efforts across the region.

“Last year we saw fantasticcommunity support for Clean Up Australia Day with local clean-ups heldinvolving schools, scouts, community groups and volunteers of all ages,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The se event ss howed what can be achieved when communities work together to look after our beaches,waterways and town centres.

“I’m encouraginglocal schools, community groups, sporting clubs and businesses to build on that momentum and plan acleanup forClean Up Australia Day 2026.

“Clean Up Australia Day is agreat opportunitytogive back to theenvironment and take pride in our local area.

“While Clean Up Australia Day is officially held on March 1, groups can plan aclean-up on any date that suits them and stillbepart of the 2026 event.”

Anyone interested in organising acleanup or getting involved is encouraged to start planning now and help make CleanUp Australia Day 2026 another success.

For more information or to register a clean-up, visit: register.cleanup.org.au

aboutthe ducks that come across from the duck pond to swim, and how in the past, the creek was home to fish and other sealife.

“There used to be fish and goldfish, but now you can’t see anything," she said.

Ms Prendergastbelieves that Latrobe City Council can encouragepeoplenot to litter by installing more bins and even cameras around the area to deter litterers.

ALatrobe City Council spokesperson said that while they haven't received many complaints about littering in the past few months, they recognise that it'snot areflection of the currentstate of the creek.

"Latrobe City Councilwill be supporting Clean Up Australia Day, (which will be held on Sunday, March 1),

includinga staff clean-upeventnear Waterhole Creek, Morwell," the spokesperson said.

"Council is also planning alittering awareness campaign in the lead up to Clean Up Australia Day, including raising awareness around the way that litter often ends up in creeks and the damage it can do.

"Council officers respond directly to pathway requestssentvia Snap Send Solve or via our customer service team, however officers also proactively inspect creeks including Waterhole Creek.Council's publicspaces littercontractor conducts regular clean up in the area and across Latrobe City every three to four months."

Concerned: Linda Prendergast oftengoeswalkingwithher dog Kirra, and is disgusted at litter leftaroundMorwell Waterhole Creek.

Reduce your use of Gippy water

GIPPSLAND Water has launched its annual

‘Reduce your use’ campaign, reminding customers to be mindfuloftheir water usage.

The compa ny's managin gd irector Sarah Cumming said the launch was timely, with the recent extended period of hot weather.

“The education campaignencourages customers to put sustainable watersaving tips to practice and that’s even more important when experiencing a heatwave,” Ms Cumming said.

“During the extended period of heat in early January we saw demand increase significantly across our service area.

“Followingpermanent watersavingrules, fixing leakingtapsand limiting showers to four minutes allhelpreducethe strain on oursystems during hot weather and also safeguardour preciouswater for generations.”

Ms Cumming saidthe organisation will be at local events over coming months to help educate the community. The statewide permanent water saving rules help customers adopt mindful habits when it comes to water usage. Permanent water saving rules apply year-round and include:

 Always use atrigger nozzle on hand-held hoses;

 Avoid watering gardens with asprinkler between 6pm and 10am;

 Gardens can be watered at any time using a hand-held hose, awatering can or abucket;

 Water must not be used to clean hard surfaces such as concrete, paths and driveways, and;

 All fountains and water features must reticulate water. For additional resources and more information on the ‘Reduce your use’ campaign, visit: www. gippswater.com.au/reduceyouruse

Leanne leaves Licola, town’sfuture uncertain

By STEFAN BRADLEY

PRIVATELY owned, and privately run.

The township of Licolaisfamously owned by Lions Clubs of Victoria and Southern New South Wales.

As of January 31, the general store and acaravan parkhas joined the campsite and is nowrun by the Licola Wilderness Village board(who often refer to themselvesassimply Licola).

TheVillage's board experienced backlash from Licola locals and visitors alike after they decided not to renewLeanne O'Donnell's leasearound Aprillastyear. Despitebeing askedtoleavethe premises, the Village has not bought Ms O'Donnell's ownership of the business and chattel, which she has invested more than $300,000 in,and is now essentially worthless.

In December, the board quietly listed the town for sale.The board is recommending thesale of all Licola properties, including the Licola Wilderness Village, general store and caravan park, with proceeds to be invested into the new Lions Licola Foundation.

Denis Carruthers, chairperson of the Licola Village Board,confirmed the town has not yet beensold andthe foundation willnot be established until asaleisconcluded. He said the Wilderness Village is operating as usual, so camps for young people are ongoing.

"It is important to highlightthat the Licola Board has aresponsibility to protect the Licola mission, not just thephysical place. We allacceptand understand that Licola holds deep emotional and historical significance, but continuing to operate the site in its current form would place the organisation and its purpose at significant risk. The transition to aFoundation ensures that we can continue the Licola mission 'To PositivelyChangeYoung Lives' andsendmore deserving childrentocamps well into the future," Mr Carrutherssaid.

Asked to comment on the possibilityofasaleof Licola, a Wellington Shire Council spokesperson indicated they don't have much involvement in the matter.

"As per standard process, council's involvement extendstoproviding aLand Info Certificate followinga request by the vendors'solicitor, whichgivesdetails that arethenincludedina disclosure statement, part of acontract of sale," the spokesperson said.

Licola Caravan Park and General Store (which also includes afuel station) had been operated by Ms O'Donnell since 2022, who moved to the area to buy and run the business.

During late January, High Country locals and

regular customers came to Licola to help her move everything out of the store and caravan park.

Right now, the store is closed, but Mr Carruthers said on January 30 that it will reopen in "a couple of weeks".

All the signage, including the iconic sign on the front, was donated to the Heyfield and District Museum.

Mr Carruthers said there was no reason for the sign to be removed.

"The historical sign was unfortunately removed by the lessee prior to vacating the premises.She will say the sign was part of her fixtures and fittings, however that is not the case and it is clearly an integral part of the store structure that belongs to the landlord," he said.

When askedabout this, Ms O'Donnellpointedto the letterfrom the board's lawyer that'sbeen posted online, which included aclause saying "remove signage and make goodany damage caused by its removal".

Ms O'Donnell and one of her kids now live in a caravanand she'sbeenspending time in Heyfield, while continuing to deal with loose ends after leaving Licola.

"It's hard to work out what to do next when you don't have enough money to do anything," she told the Express

Licolalocal Ralph Barraclough saidhehad never seen such anger from the community over the way Ms O'Donnell had been treated. He and Ms O'Donnell bothnoted that they were unable to sell everything, so some of it had to be destroyed or thrown out.

"There was beautiful furniture thatwas just chopped up, brokenupand putinto bins," Mr Barraclough said.

The Australia Post's streetposting box was removed. Ms O'Donnell said this was because she had an agreement withthem while she wasrunning the business.

"A decision has been made not to reinstate the Licola Community Postal Agency, as the agreement between the Agent and Australia Post has ceased," Australia Post said.

"Licola CPAwas only receiving mail two days aweek for three customers, who have now made alternative arrangements for mail delivery and therefore no longer require the postal services the CPA provided. Arange of services can be accessed at existing postoffices including HeyfieldPost Office and Tinamba Post Office.

"Australia Postknowshow important postal services are in keeping our communities connected and believe the needs of this community can be met

by the above arrangements. We continuetoreview the services we provide, based on the changing needs of communities."

Ms O'Donnell said her anger was at the Licola Wilderness Village Board, and not at the various Lion Clubs, who she said had been helping her.

"There's so many Lions Clubs that are really annoyed with what they're doing," she said.

Ms O'Donnell also recently set-up aGoFundMe to raise money to buy the town outright, but she has put it on pausewhile shefigures out away forward. She hopes the town stays true to itself, no matter what happens in the future.

"I love Licola. Ilove everything about it, and I don't think that Licola should go to the hands of a developer. It's so unique and it's so different. It's stuck in time. It should be staying the way that it is. It shouldn't be overdeveloped," she said.

"Everyone loves the colour because it's so quaint in the way that it is. And Iwould love to have the town to stay the way that it is and continue what the Lions Club was meant to be there for.

"It'sfor the kids and for the underprivileged and people that are going through anything that need to get out and clear their head and have some headspace, because the colour is fantastic for healing after you've been through garbage."

Historical house won’t come down

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

LOCALS concerned about the historic Ostler's House in Traralgon have nothing to worry about.

As the KayStreet-Grey St multi-level carpark etches closer to completion, some passing the beer garden of Hotel Traralgon (also known as Ryan's Hotel) worried that the 130-year-old building at its rear could have been in the firing lines of the latest construction.

The project is being built by local contractor BFN Developments, replacing the existing carpark which sits on council-owned land.

Those concernedpossiblyfelt the issue wastrekking back towardsa level it was adecade ago, when past owner of Ryan'sHotel,MickNicola pushed for the demolishment of the run-down building.

Apetition wastabled by the Traralgon and District Historical Society in 2012 to retain the

Latrobe City Council confirmed with the Express that the Ostler's House, situated on private land, will not be affected by the carpark's development.

Sensational Sawyer

By KATRINABRANDON

COUNTLESS acts of selflessness and community spirit deserve recognition.

Morwell’s JefferySawyerwas awarded Senior Citizen of the Year at this year’s Latrobe City Council Australia Day awards.

Jeffery, or Jeff,has givenmore than 50 years' service across the energy, transport, youth services, and waste management sectors.

“It’s unreal,” Mr Sawyer told the Express.

“It's really great. Ididn't expect it. Ithought there would be other people before me, but when Iwas nominated, Itold the people Ididn't really think Iwould get it, yet Istill went for thenomination.

“When Iwas up on the stage, and they called out my name, Ithought, ‘golly gosh’. So many people have commented on it and congratulated me. And it was great that that happened, but I'm really, really pleased and honoured that I received it.”

Well known for his time at the Morwell Bowling Club, Mr Sawyer has spent many years on the club's board, volunteering his time and serving as chair since 2000.

He has seen the club "rise from the ashes" after being burnt to the ground in 2024.

In July last year, Mr Sawyer was recognised as one of Victoria’s top-performingclub volunteers, taking home the coveted ClubPerson of the Year at the 2025 Community Clubs Victoria Gala Dinner and Awards night,whichhonours more than 1000 clubs throughout the state.

The award recognised 28 years (now 29) as adedicated member of the club, including19 years as chairman of the board and five years as deputy chairman.

Mr Sawyer has also served30years as amember of the Morwell Masonic Lodge, and currently holds the position of Worshipful Master. Throughthe lodge, he hashelped organise various events and charities, including donating $4000 to the Traralgon City Band.

For more than 70 years, his family has been an integral part of the region, moving up to work in the mills. During his working life, Mr Sawyer took aposition at the SEC, where he stayed for three decades.

“I was the president of the SEC Workshops Area Social Club, which is something thatall of the SECmembers in Morwell and the surrounding areas joined,” he said.

“Wehad alot of activities in the way of bus trips to interstate poker trips over the weekends and functions like balls and picnics, car rallies

Outstanding: Morwell local Jeff Sawyer was named Latrobe CitySenior Citizen of the Year for2026. Photograph: Katrina Brandon

and all that sort of thing. We organised all those sorts of things. So that was really good as well.”

After the SEC, Mr Sawyer worked in youth serviceswithLatrobe City and Berry Street, DASMA, andlateratCleanaway, where he worked for 10 years.

In addition to his work with the Morwell BowlingCluband the MasonicLodge,Mr Sawyer volunteers at PowerWorks,which is home to SEC history and is currently undergoing arebuild of the SEC.

Alongside his industrial and community efforts, Mr Sawyer has also served on the Gippsland Sports Academy Board of Management for more than five years, and spent four years with VolunteerEmergency Reserves, which is now the State Emergency Service.

In the next fewyears,MrSawyersaidhehopes to see more businessinthe Latrobe Valleyregion and furthergrowth within the Morwell Bowling Club (once completed).

Ostler's House, only for Mr Nicola to press harder.

After Latrobe City Council refused the bid to see the small brick buildingdemolished and rebuilt at an alternate site, Mr Nicola then appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. VCAT ruled in favour of the Ostler's House remaining where it is.

The buildin g’s exact history has been a topic of debate for manydecades, but what is known is that it was built around 1890 and is believed to be the oldest Traralgon brick

structure to stand in its original location. However, it is uncertainwhatthe Ostler's House has been over time,initially utilised as ahorse stable andthenanoffice for acourthouse which was once on Grey St.

The term 'ostler' refers to aperson who looks after horses at an inn.

Ryan's Hotelwas later constructed in 1914, built on the land where the Travellers Rest once was.

The Ostler'sHouse has been under local heritage

ARCHIVES

50 years ago

The Express, February 11, 1946

Trailbikeriders worrypolice

CHURCHILL police are concerned with the increasing number of offences committed by trailbike riders. Aspokesman said yesterday that more than 70 charges had been laid in the last eight monthsagainstchildrenon trailbikes. "They are becoming anuisance," he said. Two youths, aged 16 years and a 17-year-old,faced atotal of 17 charges at Morwell court last week relating to unlicensed driving of an unregistered motorbike, and anumberofother minor traffic offences. The oldyouth wasfined$150, andthe two 16-year-olds were placedon12-month bonds. Police said it costs $3 to register atrailbike and $15 to cover third-party insurance. "It's just plain silly, it doesn't cost them much to ride legally." "Why ride on the roads anyway when the Housing Commissionhas provided two scramble tracks at Churchill?"

30 years ago

The Express, February 13, 1996

Prison work on schedule

CONSTRUCTION work on the site of the Fulham prison is on schedule. According to National Party MLA for Gippsland South,

Peter Ryan, it is already offering "significant benefits" to the Gippsland community. "The consortium is well and truly on track to have theconstruction contract finished within its proposed timeframe of July 1887," Mr Ryan said after an inspection of the site. "Indeed, at the current rate of progress, the facility will be commissioned by about April next year." Mr Ryan said the construction program had already offered many jobs for the Gippsland region.

10 years ago

The Express, February 11, 2016

Date set forMorwell MainDrain appeal

THE Morwell Main Drain ownership battle between the Hazelwood Power Partnership and Latrobe City Council will be heard in the Court of Appeal on 18 March. Despite a Supreme Court of Victoria decisioninfavour of Latrobe City in December last year, the partnership is maintaining that the main drain is apublicentry. Three judges will adjudicate the appeal hearing, expectedto finish that day. After which, the justices will adjourn to consider their decision. Latrobe City chiefexecutiveGary Van Drielhas vowed to continue advocating for the community. "We will argue in support of the Supreme Court judgement which held that theMorwell Main Drain, and the potential $100 million liability it carries is the responsibility of the mine and not the people of Latrobe Valley," Mr Van Driel said.

Excursion

THE Australian Plant Society Latrobe Valley group willhold an excursion to Mount Worth State Park on Thursday, February 12 from 10am.

Anyonewho has an interest in native plants and would like to join is most welcome.

Phone Jonathan Cook on 0488 922 535 for more information.

Membersgathering

MORWELL Historical Society invites you to the society's member’s gathering on Wednesday, February18at12 Hazelwood Road from 2pm.

Thisisaninformalgathering where members, family, friendsand the general publicshare their connection to Morwell withsomeafternoontea.

MorwellHistorical Society open daysfor February are Wednesday, Feb ruary 18 (11am to 2pm) and Sunday, February 22.

Visit the rooms and ta ke atrip down memory lane.

For any further information on the member’s gathering or open days for 2026, call 0409 436 019.

LV chess

PRICE Samaseiamadeuse of tactical thrusts to force the win in most games andfinishedthe round in first place at Latrobe Valley Chess Club last week.

The burdens of the oversights were problematic for Steve Ahern.

JohannJibin continuedthe rapid rise to learnmore about the complexities of chess.

The miscalculationsbyIan Hamilton were too frequent.

The challenges weretoo much in the crucial battles for Peter Bakker.

Cliff Thornton managedtofind victories in two different contests.

Spiritual centre

LATROBE Valley Spiritual Centre (2 Avondale Road, Morwell).

Join every Sunday for service from 2pm. Doors open at 1.30pm.

Different guest speaker every week with demonstrations from an invited medium, followed by acuppa and afternoon tea.

For enquiries, phone Amanda on 0411 051 044. Join the Facebook page: Latrobe Valley Spiritual Centrefor updates on who is on Sundays.

Stamp it

LATROBE Valley StampClubhas its annual meeting this month.

Memberswill being in something related to the theme of the month: Tran sport -P lan es, Train sa nd Automobiles, as well as an item that has captured their interest.

As usual, the meeting will be in the Morwell RSL Boardroom in Elgin Street from 1.30pm-3.30pm. Date for the meeting is Wednesday, February 25. Visitors are most welcome.

The club is always available to help with any stamp queries.

For further information, phone Christine on 0427 770 522 or email: czarb7@outlook.com

Dance lessons

DANCE your way through 2026 with Latrobe Valley Dance Promotions Inc.

Head on an adventure one step at atime, to learn or brush up on new vogue/old time sequence dancesatthe Morwell Girl GuideHall (18 Margaret Street), from 7pm to afinish of 10pm.

Philately: Latrobe ValleyStamp Club membersare beingasked to display items related to transpor tthis month. Photographs: iStock

Waltz through life into better health and make new friends. Admission is $5 per person. Thoseattendingare asked to wear comfortable footwear.

Phone Len on 0439683 834 or Lynda (0428 489 041) for more information.

Email: latrobevalleydancepromotioninc@gmail.com

Follo wL atr obe Valle yD ance Promotions Inc on Facebook.

Trycroquet

IF you would like to try anew sport whichissuitablefor all ages, come alongtothe Traralgon Croquet Courts (66-110 McNairn Rd, Traralgon).

Flat soled enclosed shoes are your only requirement, and the club will provide everything else including assistance frommembers to understand the game. Times for social play are on a Saturday and Tuesday -10am-12pm and 12.30pm-4pm.

Social play is on Wednesday nights from 5pm-8pm which gives another opportunity to try croquet outof working and school hours. Cost is $5.

Further information, phone 0447 276 783.

Old time dance

NEXT Toongabbie Old Time Dance will be Friday, March 6. Dancing commences at 7.30pm at the Toongabbie Mechanics Institute Hall at the Village Green. Music and monte carlo, with lucky door prize and raffle. Those coming are asked to bring aplate to share. Admission is $8 Everyone is welcome to come along for anight of fun and dancing.

Youcan be apartof Community Corner

IF you are acommunitygroup and have any news items you need publicised, feel free to email us at news@ lvexpress.com.au You can address correspondence to the editor, Liam Durkin. Please write 'CommunityCorner' in the subject line and nothing else. Deadline is Friday 9am to appear in the following Wednesday issue. Community

HOROSCOPES

by Joanne Madeline Moore

the

February9-February15, 2026

and

You

and self-reliant you are the

will be Your

for

the

is

Aries movie icon Bette Davis: “The key to life is accepting challenges ” The weekend favours catching up with old acquaintances and/or current friends

Saturn (the planet of work self-improvement and wisdom) shifts into your self-reflection zone So, over the next two years, do your best to consolidate your strengths and work on your weaknesses As Saturn and Neptune both deepen your humanitarian and spiritual perspectives, some Bulls will become involved with volunteer work while others embrace yoga, meditation, religion and/or metaphysical study The weekends a good time to go on an adventure

With responsible Saturn transiting through your hopesand-wishes zone for the next two years you need to get serious about your future plans Its time to dream an ambitious dream and then put in the hard work and discipline required to make it happen Plus, do your best to replace restlessness with patience and short-term schemes with long-term resilience Mystery and intrigue surround you on the weekend – but can you be trusted to keep a secret?

Saturn shifts into your partnership zone so – sometime over the next two years – you could end a relationship that’s no longer working With Neptune also in your partnership zone, aim to be more generous towards loved ones and try to view a troubled relationship from a more compassionate perspective Are you looking for love? You could be attracted to someone much older or a long-term friendship could gradually develop into a serious romance

Are you a Scorpio who has lost your pep? Have you been feeling run-down and lacking energy? Saturn transits through your wellbeing zone (until 2028), so the next two years is the time to focus on your physical and mental health Discipline, determination, patience and gradual progress will get you where you want to go as you restructure your daily routine so it includes more nutritious food, a sustainable exercise program and a regular form of relaxation

Over the next two years Saturn visits your love romance children and friendship zones These relationships should strengthen and solidify, but there could also be some challenges and extra responsibilities placed on your broad Sagittarian shoulders And you may decide to give a false friend the flick So your motto is from birthday great author and activist Alice Walker: “No person is your friend who demands your silence or denies your right to grow ”

Saturn shifts into your career zone so get serious about your professional ambitions It also bodes well for a promotion, better job or professional break over the next two years, as long as you are patient, persistent and thoroughly prepared If you ve taken shortcuts or have been working below par then there could be some challenges along the way With the Moon transiting through your relationship zone, the weekend is all about love, connection and companionship

Stop being a listless Lion and get cracking, Cats! On Saturday, ambitious Saturn transits into your aspirations zone (where it stays until 2028) So its time to be confident creative and determined as you dream big dreams for the future – and then make them happen by being proactive and making smart choices Your motivational mantra for the moment is from fellow Leo, actress Helen Mirren: “You write your life story by the choices you make

Serious Saturn transits into your intrigue-and-secrets zone which is good for all types of study, research and detailed detective work And this week you’ve also got four planets (the Sun, Venus, Mars and Pluto) moving through your job zone So don t be shy and overly modest Virgo – its your time to shine at work! The weekend is all about leisure entertainment, sport and hobbies, as you share the good times with family members and/or close friends

Saturn (your ruler) transits into your domestic zone So, there are plenty of professional and DIY jobs that need to be done around the home as things wear out (or break down) and need to be fixed Also – over the next two years – you could become more interested in your personal history, your family tree and the lives of your ancestors Be inspired by fellow Capricorn, singer/writer Patti Smith: “Family means putting your arms around each other and being there ”

Prepare for some substantial changes in your local community, as serious Saturn moves through your neighbourhood zone for the next two years Work out ways that you can make a contribution that will be meaningful and have a long-lasting effect And look for local people who share your interests, values and goals It’s also a suitable time to take on the responsibility of serious, long-term study The weekend is a good time to relax, rewind and rejuvenate

With penny-pinching Saturn transiting through your money zone (until 2028) expect extra expenses and financial responsibilities over the next two years Which will teach you some valuable lessons about being financially organised, responsible and frugal Spontaneous spending sprees are definitely not recommended! The Moon is visiting your peer group zone on the weekend, so its a wonderful time to catch up with old friends and new acquaintances

COPYR GHT Joanne Made ne Moo e 2026

Farrington Parade, Traralgon

Decisionmakers: Traralgon Hospital Board,1965. Gwen Farrington is seated farright. FARRINGTON Parade, Traralgon was named after prominentcitizen Gwendoline Ethel Farrington (Miles) who was born in Penang, Malayasia on November 26, 1910.

Gwen diedonJanuary2,1988aged 77 at Daylesford.

Sheisinterred at the Bright cemetery alongside her husband who predeceased her in 1950.

Gwen married John Farrington. They lived in Traralgon with their family.

Gwen was acouncillor from 1961 to 1973, representing the Town Riding of the ShireofTraralgon. She was oneofthe first12councillors elected to the Borough of Traralgon (1961). She was the second Mayor for the City of Traralgon, electedin1964/65 Community ‘ran’ in Gwen’s veins, as this list of her community interests indicates:

 President of the Anglican Synod of the Diocese of Gippsland;

 Member of the Bishop-in-council;

 Member of the state executive of the Liberal Party;

 Director of the co-operative housing societies operating from Traralgon;

 Member of the Traralgon &District Hospital Board;

 President of the Central Gippsland Hospital Board;

 Member of St James Church of England Vestry, and;

 Member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club from its inception. Gwen was also president of the organisation and continued to serve as chair of the international and legal committee.

Gwen started the business Valet Dry Cleaners and wasmanager of the Latrobe Permanent Building Society in Camberwell in 1971. She also found time to play some golf, being an associate member of the Traralgon Golf Club. Farrington Parade is afitting memorial to acitizen who worked for her community wholeheartedly. Information and photos provided by Traralgon District Historical Society.

Community satisfaction survey coming

THE annual community satisfaction survey will soon be undertaken in Latrobe City.

Residents are advised that they may receive a phone call to participate.

Thesurvey, undertaken by Klein Research, will assess council’s performance and help identify areas for improvement and more effective service delivery for residents.

The state government runscommunity satisfaction surveys in all Victorian councils.

Around 400 randomly selected households will receive acall between Monday, February 16 and Friday, March 27.

Residents canbeassured that they will not be identified by name and i

ndividual responses will remain confidential. Overall results for the survey willbereleased later in the year.

Latrobe City Mayor, Sharon Gibson, is looking forward to residents sharing their feedback.

“If you get acall from Klein Research, don’t be afraidtostayonthe line and tell us how we’re going,” she said.

“Your real and honest comments will help us understand what council is doing well and what we should take alook at.

"We’ll take on board as much feedbackaswe can to meet the needs of our community and we appreciate you taking your time to contribute."

Libraryprovidesmuch morethan books

Esther Darlinglooks to positivethings in the

including the library, whose staffhavehelped her navigatetechnology

By KATRINABRANDON

THESEdays, youare eithercomputer literate or not.

Helping out Morwell local Esther Darling, staff at Morwell Library assisted her with some online paperwork recently.

With most things now done online, it is harder for those who are “computer illiterate.”

Fortunately for Ms Darling, the local library was able to assist.

“In thoseearly days of usingthem, Ireallywasn't computerliterate;they verymuch were guiding me how to useit,” she told the Express

“I always found that they were very accommodating,even if allthe computers were currently being

used by someone, they would always try to fit me in to get onto one as soon as they could.

“They were never impatient or anything.”

Ms Darling wished to thank the local library staff for their assistance, whichincluded guidingher on how to use her phone for greater connectivity.

Having gone to the library for many years, Ms Darling said she enjoys her visits. Despite the challengingcomputer work she has undergone, it has always been apositive experience.

Ms Darling has lived in the local area for more than30years, andexpressed that the libraryis just one of many great resources available in the Latrobe Valley.

TheGuide

BETTERHOMES AND GARDENS

Seven, Frid

7pm

OMES ENS ay,

Crashcourse: Adam Dovile, Pete Colquhounand Charlie Albone

While some arestill holding strong on their New Year’s resolutions, the rest of us might need alittle help living our best lives. That’swhere Johanna Griggs and the team come in, celebrating 2026 with asparkling summerpicnic at Mona Vale beach. This premiereispacked with action as Adam Dovile and Pete Colquhoun giveCharlie Albone acrash course on beach athletics, while local surflifesavers sharesafety tips. Dr Harryexplores the vibrant rockpools and Adamgetsthe toolsout to buildasleek cocktail station settoshake up any living area. Withsausage and eggsliders from Colin Fassnidge andGraham Ross, and Clarissa Feildel’syuzu meringue pie,it’sthe season’s hottestparty :AFL ORIGIN turday, 7.30pm

FOOTBALL

PICK OF

F THE WEEK

CRICKET

WOMEN’S T20SERI AUSTRAL INDIA GA 7mate, Su

: S IES, LIA V AME 1 unday, 7pm

Seven, Sat

It’sbeen alo century, sta left to b stage is a r Wes Th B D Pat Sta tha like Aus Nic

ong time coming.For morethan aquarter of a ate-based rivalries in Australian rules havebeen brew while rugby’sBlues and Maroons takecentre eeach year.But no more. This pre-season return rematch of Origin’s inaugural fixturein1977–with sternAustraliaagainhosting aVictorian side. is time,Western Bulldogssuperstar Marcus ontempelli captains the Big Valongside Nick Daicos and Jeremy Cameron, while Carltonskipper trick Cripps leads theWAteam. LivefromOptus adium, this high-stakes showdown is areminder at club loyalties arechosen, but there’snoplace ehome. Seven’s coverage getsa hit of West stralian flavour thanks to former AFL superstar cNaitanui (pictured) on the boundary

Wednesday, February 11

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG,R)

7.00 ABCNews.

7.30 7.30

8.00 Hard Quiz. (PGa) Hosted by TomGleeson.

9.00 Dog Park (M, R) Roland

hisdaughter through abreakup 9.30 QI. (Mls) Hosted by Sandi Toksvig.

10.00 Planet America. (R)

10.35 ABC Late News 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.05 LiveAtThe Wireless.(M, R) 12.10 Love Your Garden. (R) 12.55 Long Lost Family.(PG R) 1.45 Rage.(MA15+dhlnsv) 4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 ABite To EatWith Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30.(R)

5.30 Fireman Sam. 5.40 Kangaroo Beach 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey. 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 Supertato 7.05

A new innin on Sunday for Australi womens c with all-rou Sophie Mo (pictured) n as the squa captain, tak from a retir Healy This series open India will be Victoria and Renegades time leadin taking char T20 World and Wales members o still be sma record-bre that knocke the ODI Wo just a few m a fresh tact a score to s and co are

SEVEN (7,6)

ngs begins an ricket, under lineux amed d’s new king over ring Alyssa Twenty20 ner against the d Melbourne s skipper’sfirst ngthe country, rgeahead of the Cup in England in June. Several of the teamwill rting from India’s aking chase of 339 ed Australia out of orld Cup semi-final monthsago With tical direction and settle, Molineux set to shine

NINE (9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 ABC News Mornings. 10.00 Four Corners.(R) 11.00 All Creatures Great And Small Christmas Special. (Final, PG, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club Address. 1.35 Media Watch. (M,R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 3.30 Anh’s Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.55 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG,R) 5.30 AntiquesRoadshow.(R)

6am Morning Programs. 7.30 France 24 English News 8.00 DD India News Hour 9.00 DestinationFlavour.(R) 9.20 Good With Wood. (PGa,R) 10.15 Paddington Station24/7 (PGa, R) 11.05 Britain By Beach. (PG, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Queens Of AncientEgypt. (Mav, R) 3.00 Going Places. (R) 3.30 The Cook Up (R) 4.05 Race ForThe Sky.(PGalv, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 TheMorning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 SevenNewsWithAlexCullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. (PGas, R) 2.00 BridgeOfLies. 3.00 TheChase. 4.00 SevenNewsAt4 5.00 TheChase Australia

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Saving Yellowstone. (PG)

8.30 SevenWonders Of The Ancient World: TheColossus Of Rhodes And TheStatue Of Zeus At Olympia. (PG,R) Bettany Hughes sets sail to Greece.

9.25 Trespasses. (Mls)

10.20 SBS World News Late. 10.50 Face To Face. (Ma, R) 11.40 Darkness: Those Who Kill. (Mav,R) 1.30 Golden Boy. (MA15+s, R) 2.20 The Great House Revival. (R) 4.15 Bamay.(R) 4.50 Destination FlavourChina Bitesize. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC PhilippinesThe World Tonight.

6.00 SevenNews. 7.00 Home AndAway. (PGad)

7.30 The1%Club UK. (PGl)

8.30 Highway Patrol (PGl) Adriver lands in hot water

9.00 Operation Dark Phone: Murder By Text (MA15+av) The authorities identifydangerous criminals.

10.00 Air Crash Investigations: Deadly Charter (Return, PGa)

11.00 TheDisappearance Of GabbyPetito (Mav,R)

12.15 TheLastWeekend. (Malv) 1.15 Travel Oz. (R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Better HomesAnd Gardens.(R) 5.00 SunriseEarly News. 5.30 Sunrise.

(1990,PGls, R)

(1991,

9.30

(2015,MA15+ds, R)

Anthem. (2023,MA15+dlns) 1.05am Walkabout. (1971,Maln) 3.00 Fathers And Mothers. (2022, Mdlns, Danish,Icelandic) 4.50 The Movie Show. 5.50 The Big Steal. (1990,PGls)

THE CO WITH A SBS Fo Retur justi Year Ada seaso favourit episodes th flavours, fes traditions. M Pang (pictu Annie Loue episode of t Year celebra makingyee avibrant rit Singaporea brings his M table with Loueycraf donuts for ahappyne

OOK UP

ADAM LIAW

ood,Monday, 7pm

rning to ourscreens ntime to celebrate the rofthe Fire Horse, chef damLiaw kicksoffthe ninth on of thisweeknight te with three special hatexploreregional stivedishes andfamily MasterChefalum Brendan red) and comedian ey join Liaw forthe first this inclusiveLunar New ation. Liaw begins by esang, or prosperity salad tual from Malaysian and nculture. Then, Pang Mauritian rootstothe afried noodle main, while fts Chinese sweet potato rdessert.It’sarecipe for ew year in any language.

TEN (10, 5)

6.00 Today 9.00 TodayExtra.(PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Married At FirstSight (Mls, R) 1.30 Olympic Winter GamesMilano Cortina 2026.Day 4–H’lights. From Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy 3.00 TippingPoint. (PG) 4.00 9NewsAfternoon. 4.30[VIC]TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.00 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30[VIC]WINNews. 6.00 Ent. Tonight. (R) 6.30

6.00 9News

7.00 ACurrentAffair

7.30 Married At FirstSight (Mls) Revelations week sees thecouples show some vulnerabilityasanew task begins.Infront of peers, rawtruthswill be exposed, butit’sone groomshonesty that leaves theroomspeechless. 9.05 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Day 5–Night. Coverage includes women’s snowboardinghalfpipe and moguls and men’s super alpine skiing. 12.00 OlympicWinter Games Milano

(12, 53) 9GEM

Thursday,February 12

ABC (2) SBS (3) SEVEN

6am Mor ning Programs. 10.30 The Weekly.(Ml,R) 11.00 Creative Types. (PGv,R) 11.25 QI. (Mls, R) 12.00 News.

1.00 Bergerac. (Mv,R) 1.45 Camel Capers. (R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 3.30 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.55 Love Your Garden.(R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

Hat Factory And Paddington Japanese. Twoproperties aretransformed.

9.00 Amanda &Alan’sItalian

Job. (PG) Amanda aims to bring aslice of Hollywood to Sicily with abanana leaf patter ned boudoir

9.30 The Piano UK. (R) Hosted by Claudia Winkleman.

10.35 ABC Late News.

10.50 The Business. (R)

11.05 Love Your Garden. (R)

11.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R)

12.40 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 5.00 A Bite To EatWith Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Morning Programs. 10.15 Paddington Station 24/7. (PGl, R) 11.00 Britain By Beach. (PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Queens Of Ancient Egypt. (PGa, R) 3.00 Going Places. (R) 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Race For The Sky.(PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. News, sport and weather 9.00 The Mor ning Show (PG) The latest news and views. 12.00 Golf. LIV Golf Adelaide. Day 1. 5.00

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Toronto Airport Uncovered. (PG)

8.25 Robson Green: World’sMost Amazing Walks. (PG) Robson Green explores an ancient trail along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, UK.

9.20 In Flight. (Madlv) Jo says goodbye to Dom. Sonny is kidnapped. Anton is arrested in Bangkok airport for possession.

10.15 SBS World News Late.

10.45 BeforeWeDie. (MA15+v,R)

11.40 Forest Of The Missing. (MA15+asv,R) 1.40 Silent Road. (Ma, R) 3.35 Celebrity Mastermind. (PG, R) 4.35 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Mor ning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.20pm Bluey 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.20 The Secret Life Of Our Pets. 10.10 The Wonderful World Of Puppies. 10.55 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 2pm Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Living Black Shorts. 5.30 Going Places. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Wild Survivors. 7.29 NITV Weather 7.30 Going Places. 8.30 Reckless. 9.30 MOVIE: Crouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon. (2000, M) 11.40 Late Programs.

6am

WorldWatch. 11.00 Food That BuiltThe World. 12.30pm WorldWatch 1.00 The Billionaires Who Made Our World. 1.55 Bamay 2.15 Mastermind. 2.45 Insight. 3.45 News. 3.50 WorldWatch. 5.50 Fast History Of 6.15 Curse Of Oak Island. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 History’sGreatest Mysteries. 10.05 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 8.10 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PGa) 10.10 Walkabout. (1971, Maln) 12.05pm My Own Private Idaho. (1991, Madlns) 2.00 Roxane. (2019, PGals, French) 3.35 Enigma. (1982, PGasv) 5.30 55 Steps. (2017, PGanv) 7.35 St. Vincent. (2014, Malsv) 9.30 The Mattachine Family.(2023, Malns) 11.20 Late Programs.

Friday,February 13 ABC TV (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Solar System. (Final, R) 11.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Muster Dogs. (PG, R) 2.00 Dog Park. (M, R) 2.30 In Limbo. (Mls, R) 3.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 3.30 Anh’sBrush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.55 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6.30 HardQuiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Gardening Australia. (Retur n) Costa Georgiadis visits atransformed community hub.

8.30 Professor T. (Retur n, M) Dan and Lisa try to distract Professor T from being in jail with amurder case involving two brothers.

9.15 HardQuiz. (PGa, R) Hosted by TomGleeson.

9.50 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) Asatirical news program.

10.15 Dog Park. (M, R)

10.45 ABC Late News.

11.05 Smother (Mlv,R)

12.50 Rage New Music. (MA15+dhlnsv)

Rage. (PGadhlnsv)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away (PGad) Harper’sguilt surges. Cash struggles with the rules. Sonny’s frustration gets the better of him.

8.30 AFL Origin Countdown. Acountdown to the AFL’s much-anticipated Origin clash.

10.00 Operation Dark Phone: Murder By Text. (MA15+av,R)The NCA arestunned when their French colleagues hack EncroChat.

11.15 To Be Advised.

1.00 DareMe. (MA15+asv,R) Addy gets closer to Colette.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) Johanna Griggs meets Harry Connick Jr 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6am Morning

Programs. 1pm Escape To The Country 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 The Queen Unseen. 3.30 Harry’sPractice. 4.00 Medical Emergency 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Father Brown. 8.30 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 6– Night. Coverage includes men’s skeleton runs, snowboardcross, women’ssuper alpine skiing. 12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 6–Post Midnight. Coverage includes women’s10km cross-country skiing

3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 6–Over night. 5.30 Today. The latest in news and current affairs.

9GEM (92,81)

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer 7.00 MillionaireHot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) Presented by MarcFennell.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 The Lost Cities Of The Incas. (Premiere) Archaeologists search for clues to the rise of the Inca Empire.

9.25 Isle Of Wight: Jewel Of The South. (R) Follows the Seaview Salties, swimmers who regularly brave the freezing Solent.

10.15 SBS World News Late.

10.45 Sisi. (Masv,R)Sisi retur ns to Vienna.

11.40 Babylon Berlin. (Mav,R)

1.25 The Lesson. (Mal, R)

3.40 Celebrity Mastermind. (PG, R)

4.40 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Mor ning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (Retur n) Johanna Griggs heads to Bribie Island.

8.30 The Marlow Murder Club. (Retur n, Mav) When awealthy baronet dies alone in his study the day beforehis wedding, Judith, at the centreofanother mystery

10.30 To Be Advised.

12.15 GetOn Extra. (Retur n) Alook at the weekend’sbest racing.

12.45 DareMe. (MA15+asv) The squad attends awild adult party

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 Dr Harry’sAnimal Encounters. (PG, R)

6am Morning Programs. 12.50pm WorldWatch. 1.20 187 Minutes: Capitol Riots. 2.10 Mastermind Aust. 3.15 News. 3.20 WorldWatch. 5.15 If YouAre The One. 6.15 Curse

(31) 6am Children’s Programs. 6.45pm Ben And Holly 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Do Not Watch This Show 7.40 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. 8.05 Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 My Adventures With Superman. 8.55 BattleBots. 10.00 TKO: Total KnockOut 10.40 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 12.05pm Some Kind Of Beautiful. (2014, Madls) 1.55 Viceroy’sHouse. (2017, PGa) 3.50 The Big Steal. (1990, PGls) 5.40 What We DidOn Our Holiday.(2014, PGa) 7.30 The Talented Mr Ripley.(1999,

Saturday, February 14

ABC (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (7,6)

6am Mor ning Programs. 11.00 75th Anniversary Of Australian National Service. 12.00 News. 12.30 Call The Midwife. (PGa, R) 1.30 Professor T. (M, R) 2.20 The Piano. (PG, R) 3.20 Extraordinary Escapes. (PG, R) 4.10 Mission To Space With Francis Bourgeois. (R) 5.00 Aust Story.(R) 5.30 Dr Karl’sHow Things Work. (R)

6.00 Kath &Kim. (PGals, R) Kim swears offmen and takes up golf.

6.30 HardQuiz. (PG, R) Presented by TomGleeson.

7.00 ABC News. Alook at the top stories of the day

7.30 Call The Midwife. (Md) Dr Turner and Shelagh take the faces the disciplinary board.

8.30 Midsomer Murders. (Mv) When engagement celebrations at Godley Manor arebrought to asinister end by abooby-trapped cuckoo clock, Bar naby and Winter become immersed in aworld of olde-worlde carpentry and bitter family feuds.

10.00 This England. (Ml, R) Looks at Britain during COVID-19. 11.00 Rage. (MA15+dhlnsv) Continuous music programming.

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 10.10 Tiddler 10.35 Children’s Programs. 6.40pm Hey Duggee. 6.50 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 HardQuiz Kids. 8.00 Chopped Jnr 8.40 Shaun Tan’sTales From Outer Suburbia. 9.05 Mr Bean: The Animated Series. 9.25 Fresh OffThe Boat. 10.10 Abbott Elementary 10.30 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 1.35pm Nula. 2.05 Africa’sUnderwater Wonders. 2.55 Other Side Of The Rock. 3.00 Backs To The Blast. 4.00 Nganampa Anwer nekenhe. 4.30 Bill Reid Remembers. 5.00 First Australians. 6.00 Haututu Hunters. 6.30 News. 6.40 The Other Side. 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.30 MOVIE: Lake Placid. (1999) 10.00 Late Programs.

6am Mor ning Programs. 10.05 Vintage Voltage. (Ml, R) 11.00 World Wide Nate: African Adventures. (Premiere) 12.00

BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Plat Du Tour.(R) 2.10 Going Places. (R) 3.10 The D-Day Superhero: Jack Kirby.(PG, R) 4.10 Kirby At War. (PGav,R) 5.10 Stephen Fry: Willem And Frieda. (PGa, R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Secrets Of Britain’sHistoric Houses: Raising The Roof! (PG) ATudor mansion gets anew roof.

8.40 Queen Camilla: The Wicked Stepmother (PGads, R) Looks at the remarkable story of Queen Camilla and examines how she has succeeded in transforming her public persona.

9.35 Shaun Micallef ’s Origin Odyssey: Aaron Chen. (PG, R) Shaun Micallef heads to China. 10.35 LordLucan: Revelations. (Mal, R) 11.40 Outlander (MA15+a, R)

1.55 Beyond Signs. (MA15+a, R) 3.50

Celebrity Mastermind. (PG, R) 4.50

Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (R) 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R)

7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Mor ning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Apollo Stakes Day and Black Caviar Lightning Race Day 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 AFL Origin Pre-Game Show

Alook ahead as the state-based rivalry retur ns between Wester n Australia and Victoria.

7.30 Football. AFL Origin. Wester nAustralia vVictoria. From Optus Stadium, Perth.

10.30 AFL Origin Post-Game Show Alook back at the AFL Origin game.

11.00 No Holds Barred: GWS Giants. (Premiere, Ml) Alook at the GWS Giants.

12.00 MOVIE: The Right Mom. (2021, Mav,R)Awoman becomes achild’sguardian. Anna Schafer

2.00 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 It’sAcademic. (R) 5.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

NINE (9, 8)

6.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 7–Early Morning. 7.00 Weekend Today 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday.(PG) 12.00 My Way. (R) 12.30 Budget Battlers. (PGl, R) 1.30 Great Australian Detour.(R) 2.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 7–H’lights. 5.00 9News First At Five. 5.30 Getaway.(Return,PG) 6am Mor ning Programs. 7.30 Escape Fishing. (R) 8.00 IFish. (R)

6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

6.30 The Dog House Australia. (PGa, R) Narrated by Mark Coles Smith. 7.30 Love It Or List It Australia. Neale Whitaker and Andrew Winter help acouple struggling with adysfunctional, two-level property 8.40 Sort Your Life Out. (PGa, R) Stacey Solomon andher team help families declutter and transform their lives. 9.50 Ambulance Australia. (Mdlm, R) Aspecialist critical careparamedic responds to ahead-on collision that has left adriver trapped in their car 10.50 Matlock. (PGad, R) Matty and Olympia help agroup of nuns. 11.50 Elsbeth. (PGa, R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power 6am

WorldWatch. 10.30 Mastermind Aust. Noon The Rap Game UK. 3.00 Heroines. 3.30 SBS50. 3.35 News. 3.45 WorldWatch. 5.45 Mastermind Aust. 6.45 The Food That Built The World. 7.35 Engineering From Above. 8.30 History’sGreatest Mysteries. 9.20 Icons Unearthed: The Simpsons. 10.15 Marcella. 12.05am Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 10.25 The Mattachine Family.(2023, Malns) 12.15pm Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. (1994, Mls) 2.10 Discovering Film. 3.05 The Secret Garden. (2020, PGa) 4.55 Broken Hill. (2009, PG) 6.55 Anne Of Green Gables. (2016, PGa) 8.30 The Firm. (1993, MA15+v) 11.20 Late Programs.

7TWO (72, 62)

6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm This Rugged Coast. 1.30 Better Homes And Gardens Summer 3.00 Wildlife ER. 4.00 The YorkshireVet 5.00 Horse Racing. Apollo Stakes Day and Black Caviar Lightning Race Day 6.00 Har ness Racing. AG Hunter Cup and Yabby Dam Farms Great SouthernStar 10.45 Late Programs.

7MATE (73,64)

6am Morning

7.30 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 8–Night. Coverage includes men’salpine skiing giant slalom and women’s cross-country relay.Hosted by Allison Langdon and James Bracey

12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 8– Post Midnight. Coverage includes men’salpine skiing giant slalom, women’scross-country relay, speed skating women’steam

3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 8– Over night. Coverage includes speed skating women’steam

9GEM (92,81)

6am Danger Man. 7.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 7–Early Morning. 10.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 7. 7.30pm Death In Paradise. 8.40 MOVIE: Rambo: First Blood Part II. (1985, M) 10.40 MOVIE: Double Impact. (1991, MA15+) 12.50am MOVIE: The Hand Of Night. (1968, M) 2.40 Late Programs. 5.45 Explore.

Programs. 9.00 America’sGame. 10.00 The 4WD AdventureShow 10.30 Search4Hurt. 11.15 Football. VFL. 1986 State of Origin. Wester nAustralia vVictoria. Replay 2pm Golf. LIV Golf Adelaide. Day 3. 7.00 Storage Wars 7.30 MOVIE: TheMummy Retur ns. (2001, M) 10.10 MOVIE: Miami Vice. (2006, MA15+) 12.50am Late Programs. 9GO! (93, 82)

6am Morning Programs. 2.45pm LEGO Masters. 4.00 Basketball. vBendigo Spirit. 6.00 MOVIE: Valentine’s Day.(2010, PG) 8.30 MOVIE: Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire. (2005, M) 11.30 MOVIE: BeforeIFall. (2017, M) 1.20am Love After Lockup. 2.45 MOVIE: Avarice. (2022, M) 4.25 Bar ney’sWorld. 4.50 Late Programs.

10 COMEDY (11, 52)

Sunday,February 15

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6am Mor ning Programs. 12.00 PBS News Compass Points. 12.30 PBS Washington Week 12.55 ThePoint: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 1.00 Speedweek. 3.00 Plat Du Tour (R) 3.05 Going Places. (R) 4.35 Raising The Mary Rose: The Lost Tapes. (PG, R) 5.30 BrandenburgGate: The Untold Story

SEVEN (7,6)

NINE (9,8) 6.00 Rage. (PG) 7.00 Wknd Brekky 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week.(R) 11.00 Compass. (PG, R) 11.30 Praise. (PG, R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. (R) 2.30 Muster Dogs. (PG, R) 3.40 The Piano UK. (R) 4.30 Amanda & Alan’sItalian Job. (PG, R) 5.00 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6.00 Grand Designs Transformations. (R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Muster Dogs. (PG) The handlers and their pups perform assessment tasks.

8.30 Dog Park. (Ml) Roland and Roland contemplates anew life as aman living alone with his dog.

9.00 This England. (Ml) Looks at Britain during COVID-19.

9.55 Call The Midwife. (Md, R) 10.55 Midsomer Murders. (Mv,R)

12.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 3.00 Gardening Australia. (R) 4.00 Dream Gardens. (R) 4.30 ABite To Eat With Alice. (R) 5.00 Insiders. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Dominic West: Extreme Silk Road. (PG) Dominic West continues his jour ney through Kyrgyzstan. 8.25 Fengyang: The Forgotten Imperial City Looks at the work of archaeologists in the city of Fengyang, in east-central China. 10.10 Dunhuang: Ancient Frontier Fortress: Rise, Fall And Rebirth. (MA15+v,R) 11.10 South Korea With Alexander Armstrong. (PGa, R) 1.45 24 Hours In Emergency.(Ma,R) 2.40 24 Hours In A&E. (Mal, R) 3.35 Celebrity Mastermind. (PG, R) 4.40 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Mor ning. 5.15 Euronews. 5.30 PBS News Horizons.

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.50pm Octonauts. 6.00 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey 6.20 Paddington. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Andy And The Band. 7.05 Piripenguins. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun Tan’sTales From Outer Suburbia. 7.50 MOVIE: Looney Tunes: Back In Action. (2003, PG) 9.20 Fresh OffThe Boat. 10.05 Merlin. 10.45 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Mor ning Show: Weekend. (PG) Highlights from the past week. 12.00 Golf. LIV Golf Adelaide. Day 4. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Border Security: Inter national. (PG, R) Follows

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Australian Idol. (PGal) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie.

8.45 The Meghan Effect: Transforming The Royals. (PG) Looks at Meghan Markle, who went from being an actor to becoming part of the British monarchy

10.15 The Hunters: Mr Cruel. (Mav,R) Notorious cold cases arere-opened.

11.45 Autopsy USA: John Wayne. (Ma, R) 12.45 Temple. (MA15+al)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R)

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

TEN (10, 5)

6am Mor ning Programs. 7.00 Weekend Today 10.00 Take Me Home. (PG, R) 11.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 8–H’lights. 1.10 Rugby League. NRL. Women’sAll Stars. Maori All Stars vIndigenous All Stars. 3.15 Rugby League. NRL. Men’s All Stars. Maori All Stars vIndigenous All Stars. 6am Mor ning Programs. 9.30 Travel Oz. (Retur n) 10.00 Farm To Fork. (R) 10.30 GCBC. (R) 11.00 Well Traveller (PG, R) 11.30 Pooches At Play.(PGm, R) 12.00 I’m ACelebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (PGal, R) 1.30 Lingo. (R) 2.30 Basketball. NBL. Round 21.

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 Married At First Sight. (PGls) After an explosive revelations week task, the actions of some have amajor effect on the others. Who has chosen to stay and who will leave is revealed

8.45 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 9– Night. Coverage includes women’s slalom and monobob bobsleigh, men’sdual moguls and mixed team snowboardcross.

12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 9– Post Midnight.

3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 9– Over night.

5.30 Today. The latest in news and current affairs.

9GEM (92,81)

6.30 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock andAmelia Brace. 7.00 I’m ACelebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! (PGal) Hosted by Julia Morris and Robert Irwin.

8.30 NCIS: Sydney (Masv) When murdered and frozen, it leads the team into atwisted underworld

9.30 Law &Order: SVU. (MA15+a) When atween suffers alifethreatening miscarriage, the team must unravel aweb of online fabrications to identify asuspect. 10.30 NCIS: Origins. (Mav,R)Franks races to locate amissingbody

10 News+. (R)

Home Shopping. (R) 6am WorldWatch. 10.30 Fashionista. 10.45 Mastermind Aust. 2.15pm Jeopardy! 4.20 WorldWatch. 5.15 PBS News Compass Points. 5.45 Smoke And Steel: Secrets Of The Moder nWorld. 6.40 The Architecture The Railways Built. 7.35 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 Mysteries Unearthed With Danny Trejo. 10.10 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 3.05 League. Murri vKoori Interstate Challenge. Souther nv Redfer n. 4.35 All Stars: More Than AGame. 5.05 Make It Right. 5.30 Dr Charles Perkins Oration. 6.35 News. 6.45 Africa’sUnderwater Wonders. 7.35 Most Endangered Species New Zealand. 8.25 Black Cockatoo Crisis. 9.50 MOVIE: Lean On Me. (1989, M) 11.40 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 9.10 Anne Of Green Gables. (2016, PGa) 10.45 Alcarràs. (2022, Ml, Spanish, Catalan, English) 12.55pm Say It Loud. (2020, Mls, Italian) 2.40 What We Did On Our Holiday.(2014, PGa) 4.30 AUnited Kingdom. (2016, PGa) 6.30 Notorious. (1946, PGa) 8.30 The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1966, MA15+av) 11.45 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 1pm The Real Seachange. 1.30 Harry’sPractice. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Medical Emergency 3.00 Better Homes. 4.10 The Amazing Homemakers. 5.10 Secrets Of Beautiful Gardens. 6.10 Escape To The Country 7.10 Vicar Of Dibley 8.30 Vera. 10.30 Miss Scarlet And The Duke. 11.30 Late Programs. 6am In Touch Ministries. 6.30 Amazing Facts With Doug Batchelor 7.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 8–Early Morning. 10.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 8. 7.30pm Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 9–Night. 8.45 David Attenborough’sFrozen Planet II. 10.45 Major Crimes. 11.45 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Fishing Addiction. 2.00 Red’sFishing Adventures. 2.30 Merv Hughes Fishing. 3.00 Storage Wars. 3.30 Pawn Stars. 4.00 Deep Water Salvage. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Border Security: Int. 6.30 Women’sTwenty20 Inter national

7TWO (72, 62) 6am Morning Programs. 2.10pm Australian Ninja Warrior. 4.00 Townsville FirevSouthside Melbourne Flyers. 6.00 MOVIE: Three Men And ALittle Lady.(1990, PG) 8.00 MOVIE: Ocean’s Twelve. (2004, M) 10.30 MOVIE: Logan Lucky.(2017, M) 12.55am Arrow 2.45 Jeopardy! Australia. 3.40 Late Programs.

Monday,February16

ABC (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Midsomer Murders. (Mv,R)

11.30 Back Roads. (PG, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 3.30 Anh’sBrush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.55 Love Your Garden.(R) 4.45 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R)

6.30 HardQuiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Australian Story Australians tell personal stories.

8.30 Four Cor ners. Investigative jour nalism program.

9.15 Media Watch. (M) Presented by Linton Besser

9.35 Planet America. Alook at American politics.

10.05 Dr Karl’sHow Things Work: Ice Cream. (R)

10.35 ABC Late News.

10.50 The Business. (R)

11.10 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) 11.35 Love Your Garden. (R) 12.25 Long Lost Family (PG, R) 1.15 Rage. (MA15+dhlnsv) 2.20 Smother.(Mlv, R) 5.00 ABiteToEat With Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6am Children’s Programs. 6.05pm PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.20 Bluey 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 TKO: TotalKnock Out. (Final) 9.15 Kids BBQ Championship. 9.55 Merlin. 10.40 Late Programs.

NITV (34)

6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm The Dream Of Love. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Small Business Bitesize. 5.30 The 77 Percent. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Africa’sUnderwater Wonders. 7.30 Who Do YouThink You Are? 8.35 Karla Grant Presents. 10.00 Late Programs.

(3)

6am Morning Programs. 1pm PBS News Compass Points. 1.30 Al Jazeera News Hour 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 Asia’sAncient Civilisations. (PG, R) 3.00 Going Places. (R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.35 TheCook Up. (R) 4.05 Silk Road From Above. (PGa, R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Mor ning Show.(PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 Seven News With

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R)

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Inside The Tower Of London. (PG) It is Constable’sDues day at the Tower of London.

8.30 8Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M) Game show, featuring contestants tackling awords and numbers quiz. Hosted by Jimmy Carr

9.25 Never Mind The Buzzcocks. (M) Hosted by Greg Davies. 10.10 SBS World News Late. 10.40 Other People’sMoney (PGals)

11.30 Vigil. (Mav,R)

2.45 The Real Crown: Inside The House Of Windsor.(PG, R) 3.40 Celebrity Mastermind. (PG, R) 4.40 Bamay (R) 5.00 NHK WorldEnglish News Mor ning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

SBS VICELAND (31)

6am Morning Programs. 12.30 Food That Built The World. 2.55 Mastermind. 3.25 WorldWatch. 4.20 PBS Compass Points. 4.50 WorldWatch 5.20 Mysteries From Above. 6.15 Curse Of Oak Island. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.30 News. 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 The Hunt For Stolen Nazi Treasure. 9.20 The Billionaires Who Made Our World. 10.20 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32)

6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Discovering Film. 10.50 The Good, The Bad And The Ugly.(1966, MA15+av) 2pm Broken Hill. (2009, PG) 4.00 Anne Of Green Gables. (2016, PGa) 5.35 Go. (1999, PGalv) 7.30 The BodyguardFromBeijing. (1994, MA15+v) 9.15 My Father Is AHero. (1995, MA15+v) 11.15 Late Programs.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away (PGas) Leah crafts aromantic apology 7.30 Australian Idol. (PGal) Anationwide search for Australia’s next singing superstar continues with big voices, surprises and star talent. 9.15 9-1-1. (Mahv) The 118s beliefs areput to the test as they respond to emergency calls involving aJack-o’-lanter n.

10.15 Ivan Milat: Buried Secrets. (MA15+av,R)Takes alook at the crimes of Ivan Milat.

12.15 Conviction. (MA15+a, R) Desmond must prosecute arap producer

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R)

5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

7TWO (72, 62)

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 Better Homes And Gardens Summer Noon Australian Idol. 2.00 Weekender 2.30 This Rugged Coast. 3.30 Harry’sPractice. 4.00 Medical Emergency 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Doc Martin. 8.30 Endeavour 10.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) The newlyweds enter intimacy week and while some couples choose to embrace the challenge, others remain hesitant

9.05 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 10 –Night. Coverage includes men’salpine slalom, bobsleigh and short track and women’ssnowboard slopestyle and short track.

12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 10 –Post Midnight.

3.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 10 –Over night.

5.30 Today. The latest in news and current affairs.

9GEM (92,81)

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. Hosted by Grant Denyer 7.00 MillionaireHot Seat. (PG) Hosted by Rebecca Gibney

Tuesday,February 17 ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

(7,6)

(9,8) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Aust Story.(R) 10.30 Planet America. (R) 11.00 Human. (Final, PG, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Call The Midwife. (Md, R) 2.00 Restoration Aust. (Final, PG, R) 3.00 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R) 3.30 Brush With Fame. (PG, R) 3.55 Love Your Garden. (R) 4.45 Long Lost Family (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.(R) 6am Mor ning Programs. 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 The Point: Road To Referendum History Bites. (R) 2.05 Asia’sAncient Civilisations. (PG, R) 3.00 Going Places. (PGaw,R) 3.30 Plat Du Tour.(R) 3.35 The Cook Up. (R) 4.05 Silk Road From Above. (R) 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Mor ning Show.(PG) 12.00 Seven’sNational News At Noon. 1.00 Seven News With Alex Cullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. (PGa, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00

6.30 HardQuiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Dr Karl’sHow Things Work. (Final)

8.30 Mission To Space With Francis Bourgeois. (Final) Presented by Francis Bourgeois. 9.20 Grand Designs Transformations: Balaclava Hat Factory And Paddington Japanese. (R) 10.15 WayOut Ag. (R) 10.35 ABC Late News. 10.50 The Business. (R) 11.05 Four Cor ners. (R) 11.55 Media Watch. (M, R) 12.10 Love Your Garden. (R) 1.00 Long Lost Family.(PG, R) 1.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv) 2.20 Smother.(Mal, R)

5.00 ABite To EatWith Alice. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. (R) 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Who Do YouThink YouAre? MarcFennell. (PGa, R) Marc Fennell explores his roots.

8.35 MOVIE: Bardot. (2024, Malsw) An intimate look at the life of inter national icon Brigitte Bardot, with unseen archive and candid interviews.

10.20 SBS World News Late. 10.50 Exit. (MA15+ads, R) 11.50 Syndrome E. (Malv,R) 1.55 24 Hours In Emergency (Ma, R) 2.50 The Real Crown: Inside The House Of Windsor.(PG, R) 3.40 Barkley Manor (PG, R) 4.40 Bamay.(R) 5.00 NHK World English News Mor ning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away (PGad)

7.30 The Chase Australia. Hosted by Larry Emdur

8.30 Doc. (Ma) Michael is under investigation for his actions during the hostage crisis. TJ retur ns to work and treats aprisoner

9.30 Ambulance: Code Red. (Ma) Aman is attacked by a gang with amachete.

10.30 St. Denis Medical. (Ms)

11.30 Madeleine McCann: Searching For The Prime Suspect. (Mav,R) 12.30 Childhood’sEnd. (Mav)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.

6.00 9News. 7.00 ACurrent Affair

7.30 Married At First Sight. (Mls) Intimacy week tasks have amixed effect on the newlyweds. Atense men’sworkshop results in poor behaviour.In ashocking tur nofevents, one bride suddenly calls it quits. 9.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Day 11 –Night. Coverage includes men and women’s slopestyle and men’sice hockey 12.00 Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina

6am WorldWatch. 10.30 The Food That Built The World. 12.05pm WorldWatch. 12.30 Homicide. 2.20 Mastermind Aust. 2.50 Kars &Stars. 3.15 News. 3.20 WorldWatch. 5.20 Mysteries From Above. 6.15 Curse Of Oak Island. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 In The Footsteps Of Marco Polo. 10.25 Late Programs.

SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 2pm Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 Small Business Bitesize. 5.30 Going Places. 6.00 Bamay 6.30 News. 6.40 Africa’s

SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 5.40pm Kangaroo Beach. 5.55 Octonauts. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.20 Bluey 6.25 Paddington. 6.40 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.20 Bluey 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Ninjago. 8.00 Deadly 60. 8.30 BTN Newsbreak. 8.35 Whale With Steve Backshall. 9.25 Planet Weird. 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22) 6am Morning Programs. 12.20pm Limitless. (2011, Mdlsv) 2.20 Mrs Lowry And Son. (2019, PGan) 4.00 Notorious. (1946, PGa) 6.00 The Eagle Huntress. (2016, PGaw Kazakh) 7.35 The Legend Of Fong Sai-Yuk. (1993, Mav,Cantonese) 9.30 The Legend Of Fong Sai-Yuk 2. (1993, Mav,Cantonese, Mandarin) 11.20 Late Programs.

New novel inspired by local events

By LIAM DURKIN

LOCAL teacherand regular contributortothe Express'opinion pages, John de Souza-Daw, has penned anew novel.

The book was partly inspired by the community corner section of the Express.

Ted and the Time-TravellingTaxi tells the story of the titular character's journey from high school to stumbling upon amysterious time-travelling device.

The junior fiction novel was fittinglylaunched at Kurnai College's Churchill campus earlier this month.

Astrongturnout saw the author sign copies for more than an hour before formalities got underway. They were led by Gunnaikurnai woman Hollie Johnson, who made the opening address.

Mr de Souza-Daw then took the microphone to explain how the novel was pieced together.

"At its heart, this is astory about astudent starting high school, inspired by my own experiences at Kurnai in Churchill, with apotted history of 1997," he said.

"Wh en Iw as in Gr ade 2, Ib eg an wri tin gs tori es abo ut the adven tur es of Fr ed ,

Ha rr ya nd Ted. This was the inspiration for naming the protagonist in this story.

"Not many people know this, but on my last day of primary school Igot into afight. On my last day of Year 10, Ialso got into afight -with the same person. It wasthe 90s.This is reflected in this story

"The chess battles in the book were inspired by reading about the Latrobe Valley Chess Club in the communitycorner of the Latrobe Valley Express."

Mr de Souza-Daw has published the novel under just 'John de Souza' to hopefully appeal to the intended audience.

"A great deal of junior fiction is marketed to girls rather than boys," he said.

"I deliberately kept this book short to appeal to young male readers, particularly thosewho are more hesitant.

"Each generationofyoung men is reading less than the one before it, and Iwanted to meet them where they are.

"Thatsaid, thebook can just as easily be enjoyed by adults, or by anyone feeling alittle nostalgic about the 90s."

He also described his motivation in getting the story written down.

"I wrotethis book for afew simplebut deeply personal reasons," he said.

Traralgonboy,nine, releases app

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

TRARALGON youngster JackCurran is similar to many kids in that he spends time in front of acomputer.

Unlike most however, this nine-year-old has just developed and released his own web app. 'Feast Finder' hit the waves recently, helping locals find worthy meal deals in the Traralgon area at agood rate.

After being turned onto coding lastyear, Jack fiddled around with afew projects before his father Roger passed along the idea from a similarapp he had worked on back in his home country, South Africa.

"I didmine10years ago, just as aside hobby, andJack waslooking for some ideas and Iwas like'youcan givethis ago.'Hebuilt amuch more full featured version of what Ihad many years ago," Roger said.

Jackhad already become invested in this world,learning the basics over the course of manymonthstorecognise the programming languages necessary to make something of his own.

He described the experience of coding as "quite fun", being able to work through and "mess up everything."

By the time he naileddownhis roughestimations of how Feast Finder would work, it took Jack just three weeks to put it out into the world.

An hour per day paid dividends, as Jack committed to seeing his project complete and put out into the public.

"I usually stop halfway (with projects) and I stop getting interested, but with Feast Finder Icouldn't givepeople ahalf-interesting product that doesn't really work so Ihad to finish it," Jack told the Express

Both father and son called up around 15 local businesses as astartingpoint, and sincethe app has gone live, even more have reached out to utilise the service.

To give his Feast Finder abit of aboost, on the first day of its release, Roger posted avideo on Traralgon'scommunity Facebook page, and subsequently garneredmore than 23,000views. Jackwas surprisedwhenhesaw just two

"To hold aphysicalcopyinmyhands and feel proud that Iwrote it; to createastory my daughters can read; abook for my students to read; and to enhancemyown vocabulary.

"Writing is also, for me, aform of therapy -away of making sense of the world.

“Above all, Ihoped that by doing this, Imight encourage others to read, to write, and to believe

their own stories are worth telling."

This is Mr de Souza-Daw's second novel. Ted and theTime-TravellingTaxi is available through Amazon, including in eBook format.

Copiesare expected to be available at the Morwell newsagency in coming weeks. The author can be reached directly via:john dezouza-daw@education.vic.gov.au

people online, but was ecstatic and grateful of the response that immediately followed.

The app went gangbusters and attracted more than 700 users in its first 24 hours.

"Peoplestarted coming in, which gave me real excitement," Jack said.

Jack has tinkered with afew details and featuressince Feast Finder'slaunch, and hopes that new ideas can form over time for not just this app, but others as well.

However, as school returned, Jack realises that this fun potential side hustle isn't his sole responsibility.

"It's more of alearning process, not much of abusiness,"hesaid.

Adeeply curious kid, Jack has undertaken other projects in recent months, including building afacial recognition system and green screen system through the use of his Raspberry Pi camera.

Whilestill in the earlystagesofhis life and in coding, Jack hopes this can lead down acareer path, whether it's for acompany or through his own service.

He also enjoys space and science books, and has made his own miniature rockets at home, so perhaps aroleatNASAorthe Australian SpaceAgency is on the horizon.

Jack hopes to inspire other kids around his age to take up coding, seeing their own ideas come to fruition and finding the enjoyment in it.

Incredible: Nine-year-old Traralgon kid Jack Curran recentlylaunched hisown webapp.The young computer wizhas under takenmanytech projects in hissparetimerecently, hopingto inspirea newwaveofcoders. Photographs supplied

First of its kind playgroupinMorwell

By PEACE IJIYERA

THE onlyintergenerational playgroupinLatrobe City was launched earlier this month at Respect, Mitchell House Morwell.

Ran by PlaygroupVictoria, the aim of the sessions are to createafun and inviting space forcarers, children and the elderly to connect, learnand grow.

On the launch day, six children, along with their parents, and six residents of MitchellHouse, came together for asession of singing, reading and playing.

The session began with arendition of the nursrhyme, 'open, shut them', then how and tell

before children were free to participate in activities with residents.

Activities likemoulding playdoh, building blocks, and creatingmasks were available for children and residents to enjoy.

Afederallyfunded program, Playgroup Victoria will run the sessions every Wednesday from 10am to 11.30am for Term 1, before handing the reigns over to the Mitchell House staff, who will keep the program running in its own capacity.

Playgroup Victoria Manager of Development andSupport, Leanne Dhami said the playgroup works as a"communitydevelopment approach".

Ms Dhami added that

the playgroup "values and respectseach stage of life through organic interaction".

"We come together and learn from each other," she said.

As much as the playgroup is for children, Ms Dhami suggests it's morefor the parents, explaining how parents andcarers need aspace to relax and connectwith each other.

"Healthy parents raise healthy and resilient children," she said.

Playgroup leader SaschaReese-Sharam is thrilled about the sessionsand

"very excited to see more families come".

Describing the partnership with Mitchell House as "great", she is keen to show people that programs like these "can be done".

The residents were delightedtohost theirlittle visitors.

Resident Cora said that "it was good to see the young ones".

Resident John said it was a"good afternoon" and that he was looking forward to more sessions.

As Ms Reese-Sharam said, "everyone left with asmile", and that's what it's all about.

rgenerational playgroup

Photographs: PeaceIjiyera

By PEACEIJIYERA

THE demolition of abuilding at Elizabeth Street

Primary School, Moe, began last month.

The demolition processtook course over one week.

Theschoolhas been open since 1956 and has served the community for aremarkable 70 years.

Recently, the schoolhad anew building built. Under the Victorian SchoolBuilding Authority, the school received $5.3 millionfor the upgrade and modernisation of the school, all to give students access to better learning opportunities. The new schoolbuilding is set to open later in the school term.

Hazards,including possible traces of asbestos, were found in the building and taken out aweek before demolition began.

Happybirthday: Mitchell House SocialCareCoordinator Eliza Ballesteros,with Spencer,who turned one on theday

Elizabeth Street PrimarySchool set for new foundations

Asbestosfound in schools is not an uncommon occurrence, as asbestos was used during the construction of many schools and buildings that were built before the 1990s.

The1950s to 1980s were periods where asbestos use was most prominent, before itsban in Australia in 2003.

As current chief executive of Asbestos Council of Victoria, Vicki Hamilton explained, "all schools were built out of asbestos at one stage".

"The educationdepartmentisusually quite responsible when they're dealing with asbestos in buildings. If the building needs to come down, they wouldhave done an audit, they'llknow where it is and identify that the building needs to come down," Ms Hamilton said.

Ms Hamilton says that the demolition of the school building at Elizabeth St occurred at agood time, during school holidays.

"While school holidays is on, it is the perfecttime (to pull buildings down). No children will be exposed to asbestos in that case, and the surrounding area the same. You shouldn't have any contamination to anybodyelseinthe area becauseit'll be done with either wetting agent or some sort of mixture of glue and spray of some sort to make sure no fibres escape in the actual deconstruction of the building."

Ms Hamilton also spoke about the transparency andaccountability around asbestos in schools and buildings being apparent. She spoke about the stickers and signs that are put up when audits are done in caseswhere ademolition is not feasible.

"Sometimes they (education department) can't do ademolition of abuilding, so all these stickers are on there to say where that asbestos is so that if any tradie has to come on site to do any work, they're very well aware of where it is," she explained.

Touching on the health risksassociated with coming into contact with asbestos, Ms Hamilton sounded areminder saying, "there is no safe level for exposure to asbestos" and in more extreme cases, "of course, the more you're exposed to it [asbestos] the more likely you are to get an asbestos-related disease".

The school termcommenced on January 29, and Elizabeth St students can look forward to anew playground that willbeconstructedinthe old building's place.

St Paul’swelcomes student leaders

ST Paul’s Anglican Grammar School has officially welcomed its student leadership team for 2026.

The school says this marks the beginning of ayear focused on service, responsibility and example-setting.

Secondary school captains, Zainab Alhijaji and Tharuja Vidanapathirana, wereformallyinducted, alongsidethe TraralgonCampus’ inaugural deputy school captain, Elizabeth Schembri, at aceremony attended by students, staff and families.

Emmett Hughesand Grace Wilk were also

inducted as the St Paul’s Traralgon junior school leaders.

Leadership at St Paul’s offers studentsthe opportunity to grow alongside their peers, fostering ashared sense of purpose and teamwork. By leading and learning together,student leaders help strengthen the schoolcommunity while encouragingall students to uphold the school’s values. Duringtheirspeeches, leadersempowered students to make the most of every opportunity.

Tharuja talked about what makes the school special.

“Ourschool is notonly defined by its achievements but the relationships we build and the support we give one another,” he said.

Zainab spoke about their leadership focus.

“We want every student to feel empowered to get involved, take chances and support one another, bothinside and outside the classroom,”she shared.

“Every contri bution matter s, and every

student has something valuable to offer.”

Grace and Emmett also offered words of support.

“Let’s remembertobekind, help each other, and make our school ahappy and safe place for everyone. We can’twait to learn, playand grow together this year!”

Currently in Year 11, Zainab and Tharuja will undertake their VCE studies at the St Paul’s Traralgon Campus together with the VCE Foundation cohort, as the school progresses towards welcoming Year 12 in 2027.

PAUL S Anglican Grammar Ellis UL’S A

start to school year

ST PAUL’S AnglicanGrammar School educators ignited curiosity and imagination for junior school studentswith amagical start to the newschool year, launchingtheir ever-growing learningjourney withwonder and excitement. The term began with asurprising and mesmerising performance by magician Tim Ellis, captivating students and setting an engaging tone for the year ahead. Tim presented an interactive show, welcoming students on stage as assistants and captivating the entireaudiencewith impressive “magic” tricks. He then showed them how to recreate a few of the tricks at home.

TUESDAY10FEBRUARY

Somethingmust be done at old Moe Hospital

WE as acommunity need to save the old Moe Hospital.

I, Victor Bennett, call on the community to support the formation of acommittee to save the old Moe Hospital.

My vision is to redevelop the site into aprivate hospital, offering:

 Rehab and minor surgery;  Aged care assessment;  Palliative care, and;

 Mental heath.

Secondly, there should also be redevelop opportunities for community housing.

If you are interested, email: frontlinesafety58@ gmail.com

We as aCommunity needtosavethe old Moe hospital.

Victor Bennett Moe

Wholesale datecentre proposal

PHILLIP Hopkins’ article on the propo sed Hazelwood datacentre (LatrobeValleyExpress, 04/02/26,Page 9) makes it sound like agift to the Latrobe Valley.

It isn’t.

It’s another deal wherethe community carries the burden while someone else walks away with the profits.

Adatacentreclusterturns almosteverywatt of electricity into waste heat. That heat has to go somewhere. Right now, the plan is simple: dump it into the environment and hope nobody notices.

The Valley spent acentury absorbing the thermal load of coal generation. We shouldn’t be asked to do it again for an industry that brings almost no jobs and very little local value.

Let’s be honest. These centres don’t employ many people. They don’t lower power bills. They don’t strengthen the grid. They take huge amounts of electricity, demand expensive upgrades, and give almost nothing back. That’s not transition. That’s extraction.

If companies want to use the Valleyasa heat sink, they should pay for the privilege. Alevy on waste-heat dumping would sort out very quickly who is serious about innovation and who just wants cheap land, cheap power, and acommunity willing to look the other way.

The Latrobe Valley deserves industries that build afuture, not ones that repeat the past. Before we signupfor another'big project',we should ask one simple question: does it helpthe Valley, or does it help someone else at our expense?

Right now, the answer is obvious.

Brian Burleigh (and my trusty AI companion) Cowwarr

Hats offtolocal healthcare

IN the early hours (around 2am) on Tuesday, January 27, Iwoke up with ahigh temperature, fever and shakes.

Being 81 years on the planet and diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an ambulance was called.

The twofemaleparamedicsonscene gave me excellent attention transporting me to LRH.

After passing through two ED departments with severalexcellentdoctors, Iwas admitted to the transit lounge before getting abed in my own room.

Ispent five days on drips with x-rays, ultrasound and constantmonitoring by staff within such a pleasant environment.

So onceagain, we/I am very fortunate to have these caring health professionals on our doorstep in the Latrobe Valley.

Thank you.

Stanley Hodgson

Newborough

Morecoal-based fantasy

GREG Hansford ('Intermittent electricity not a 'Caffrey' opinion, LVE Opinion, 04/02/26) argues that we require"firm,dispatchable, coal-based power".

Yes, we do needfirm,dispatchable power, but he makes no argument that supports coal being the best way to do that.

That is because such arguments do not exist and because any case for coal falls over at the first two hurdles of cost and timetable.

The forecast wholesale cost of electricityfrom new-build coal-fired generation is currently at $121-195/MWh and rising (CSIRO Gencost 25-26 draft). Adding carbon capture and storage lifts this to $224-354.

During 2025 Q3, the average wholesale price of electricity in the National Electricity Market was $87 (AEMO QED Q3). So, replacing coal's current 52 per cent of generation share with new build coal will at least double the price of electricity.

That is why no investor, and no government sees any futurefor coal in the energymix;not to mention the thorny issue of increased emissions.

Timewise,thereissimply no path that could replace the current coal baseload with new-build coal before 2040.

Justhave athinkabouthow longitmight be before the conservative side of politics might win power,giventheir current shenanigans; even 2031 now seems less likely.

We can already see the shape and performance of the renewables-based future grid and, by 2035, when any decision to commit to new coal plants might on the table, it will simply fail to make economic sense to do so.

The age of coal is over. Get used to it. If Mr Hansfo rd has arguments that

over come th ese bar riers to ac oal-ba sed future, he owes the electorate the details. Otherwise, thisisjustanother one of One Nation's simplistic policies that don't stand up to analysis. Butthen, logic and analysis don't seem to be one of their strong points

John Gwyther

Coongulla

Giveitarest champ

PHILLIP Edwards, when are you going to start dancing to adifferent tune on Greg Hansford and One Nation?

The letter last week ('Hansford's record') was about the third time you have run this spin in the Express on the same subject. It looks likeyou need anew PR manager or to wipe the egg off your face.

Garry Mitchell

Yallourn North

Even Mr Green questions climatechange

WE only have four years to warn our family and friends in Lakes Entrance to leave before they are permanently flooded.

That’s one of the grim predictions for Gippsland reported in this paper that was going to occur by 2030 (LVE, 26/09/2011, Page 5).

Other townsand even sections of thePrinces Highway were predicted to be under water by then due to climate change.

Another article on the same page began with a warning that increased greenhouse gas emissions contribute to globalwarming(atermthatnow seems to be defunct). Sometimes to go forward, we need to go back and look at past predictions or expectations.

Al Gore, in his award winning 2006documentary, An Inconvenient Truth,predicted no more snow on Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa by 2016. But turns out he was wrong.

Argentina’s glacierswere in danger of disappearingclaimed Gore, yet apparently, they are still growing.

Hurricanes would become more frequent in the future in the United States Gore predicted. There was 14 that made land fall between 2003 and 2005. Fast forward to 2022-24 and only eight hurricanes made land fall in America.

Global warming predictions15to20years ago said we were going to have less rain and little to no snow. But recent reports out of the northern hemisphere show that snow is definitely still here. The United States recorded record cold and snow falls in January this year.

Australian global warming/climate change guru TimFlannerypredicted in 2006 oil would double or triple in price by 2016 due to quickly rising sea

levels. (When Iwent to the beach last year, it was still there and not swamped by rising sea levels.) In 2006, abarrelofoil was trading around the $90 markinAustralia. By 2016 that price had gone backwards to around $60 abarrel, similar to today’s prices. And let’s not forget electricity pricesweregoingtobecheaper.I’m still hoping for that day but latest data shows they have risen substantially, again.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates said last October climate change was not going to lead to humanity’s demise and we should focus on efforts to prevent poverty and disease. Perhaps in light of these doomsday predictions we were given 15-20 years ago, Mr Gates might be onto something. And let’s not forget the Extinction Rebellion protestors, some of who predicted it would be all over by 2023.

Perhaps global warming/climate changeexperts were notthat good at foretelling the future as we were led to believe.

Which then raises other questions about the rush to expensive renewables and reducing reliance on base load, non-intermittent cheaper power sources.

Randell Green

Traralgon

Be braveand shave

AS Australian children return to school, hundreds will not. Their desks sit empty as they fight blood cancer -the single biggest disease threatening the livesofschool-aged children in Australia today. Thisyear alone,around 350children will be diagnosed with blood cancer. It now accounts for morethan one in three childhood cancers, yet remains alargely hidden national tragedy.

Ablood cancer diagnosis is sudden and brutal. Children are forced out of classrooms and into hospital wards,enduring aggressive treatment that can last years. Many miss 40 to 60 per cent of school in their first year alone,with some absent for up to 18 months. The impacts on learning, wellbeing and social development are profound and long-lasting. Overthe past two decades,blood cancerincidence among children agedfiveto14has risenbyalmost 30 per cent. If this trendcontinues,more than 400 children ayear could face thisdevastating diagnosis within the next decade.

At the Leukaemia Foundation, we see the toll this takes on children and families every day -emotionally, financiallyand socially. While we provide vital accommodation,transport, educationand support services, and invest in life-savingresearch,we cannot do it alone.

As the World’s Greatest Shave launches nationally, IurgeAustralians to stand with these children and all Australians impactedbyblood cancer. Participating by shaving, cutting or colouring your hair helps ensure no person faces blood cancer without support.

Register to participate in the World’s Greatest Shave at: worldsgreatestshave.com, or call 1800 500 088.

Chris Tanti Leukaemia Foundation CEO

Data won'tdeliver

JUST when you think it’s asafebet that the growth of renewable energy will come close to eventually providinguswith all the cheaper, cleaner electricity we need,along come data centres and AI ('Calls for energy realism in light of slated Hazelwood data centre', LVE 04/02/26).

These power-hungry, water-hungry outfits will provide huge profits to their investors, but what will they bring to the community?

Some computer scientists warn that AI tools and humanoid robots could make hiring humans uneconomical in nearly every sector. Where does that leave humans? Efficiency isn’t everything. Australia, with already precarious water supplies, opens its arms to ‘hosting’ these data centres. No wonder developers are keen.

As abasic requirement, shouldn’t they be required to be totally self-sufficient in terms of power, and ensure water supplies are not impacted?

Fiona Colin Malvern East

AFrankenstein's monster out of control

"I HAVE been cursed by trying to play God," Dr Henry Frankenstein.

In the 1931 classic gothic film, Frankenstein,the stark spooky opening scene of gathering darkness in agraveyard sets the mood in the film from the outset.

Dr Henry Frankenstein, an obsessed mad scientist, withthe aidofhis hunchbackdwarf assistant, Fritz, are stealing anewly buried corpse for an experiment.

In an abandoned watchtower nearhis family castle, Frankenstein has builtaprivate laboratory where he is piecing together human body parts in an attempt to create "a new life."

He has assembled it from the limbs and organs of corpses stolen fromcemeteries, or executed criminals cut down from gallows.

What he doesn't realize is that Fritz has unwittingly secured the criminal brain of an abnormal psychopath,withdangerousconsequences for Frankenstein and his fellow villagers.

Beyond the surface-level horror, 'Frankenstein' explores profound themes about the dangers of unlimited scientific exploration, the narcissistic disregard for the immutable laws of physics, and the grim consequences of playing God.

Mutatismutandis,inasimilar vainglorious manner, Australia's reality-proof Energy Minister, Chris'Blackout Bowen', is performingbrain surgery on the nation's electricity system via the so-called "transition" from afossil fuels-basedgrid to arenewables-only grid.

However, Bowen's scalpel workisnot going according to plan and consequently the patient is in grave danger of dying on the operating table.

Like Dr Frankenstein, Bowen is crudely cobbling together apatchwork of bits and pieces that will destabilise the grid and ultimately lead to the destruction of the entire electricity system and with it the economy.

To conclude, easy going Aussies have been sold anet zero pup, initially cute and cuddly, but now an unaffordable and uncontrollable Frankenstein's monster run amok.

Joseph Lis Morwell

Expand rather than increase

APPARENTLY your correspondent, Mr Hansford (LVE, 04/02/26), imagines the future of energy as arecreation of the past, with acoal-fired power station as the single source of power feeding into the grid.

Iimagine thefuture as aseries of virtual power plants (VPPs) supporting and contributing to the grid from anumberofplaces.

These range from rooftop solar feeding into linked batteries, to wind and solarfarms feedinglarge

scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Anotherpossibility mightbeneighbourhood based VPPs where rooftop solar could feed into local battery storage during the day and all households in the VPP could draw on the battery during the evening peak demand.

What happens when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow?Thatiswhy we have a grid,sothat power doesn’t depend on asingle vulnerable source.

The grid distributes energy from where it is produced to where it is to be consumed.

That is so now, as the east coast grid is supplied by power from Queensland to South Australia. Wind farms, both on land and offshore,solar farms, rooftop solar and coal and gas power stations all contribute to theNational Energy Market (NEM) with power from renewable energy increasing and fossil fuels’ contribution declining.

NeighbourhoodVPPs with islanding capacity could mitigate powerfailures due to damage to transmission lines by storms, fires, and breakdowns in aging coal plants.

Dispersed and dispatchable power,likewise, would provide redundancies that could insulate consumers from power failures. Thetechnology is available.

Whatisneededtoaccelerate the development of arenewable energy system is political will and the removal of legislative impediments.

At present, thereisanincreasing divide between those who have access to renewable energy (for instance,householders with solar panelsand batteries)whose power costs are steadily decreasing andthose whoremain dependent on coal and gas, whosecosts are increasing, as Nationals leader, Danny O’Brien notes ('Gas had toletoplay in energy mix', LVE Opinion, 04/02/26).

The solution is not to increase reliance on gas, as is National Party policy, but to expand access to renewable energy, which is cheaper, cleaner and does not contribute to climate change.

Marianne Robinson

Churchill

Have your say

THELatrobe Valley Express welcomesletters to the editor.

Preference willbegiventobrief, concise letters which address local issues.

The editor Liam Durkin, reserves the right to edit letters for reasons of space and clarity, and may refuse to publish any letter without explanation.

The Express does notpublish lettersfrom anonymous contributors.

Lett ers must inc lude aphon enumber, email address and the author's hometown for purposes of substantiating authenticity. Readers are entitled to aright of replytoa letter directed at them.

While healthy debate is encouraged, the editor willstamp out any that cross the line to defamation.

The views expressed in letters to the editor are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Latrobe Valley Express management or staff.

Readers should be equally aware that facts presented in letters are selected to support a person's point of view.

As such, statisticscan quiteoftenbefabricateddependingonthe poolofdataused or people involved in surveys.

The letters section is designed to allow people to have their say, and not be hijacked for political agendas.

Letters regard ing reli gion wil ln ot 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.

Fighting efforts applauded, recoverynow commences

COMMENT

BY SENATORRAFF CICCONE

LAST month, the Victorian bushfires tore through communities with terrifying speed, particularly in the areas of Longwood, Harcourt, Walwa and the Otway Ranges.

These fires have left familieswithouthomes. They have disrupted businesses and devastated farms and landscapes in many communities.

Across Victoria, over 400,000 hectares have now been burnt. More than 1500 structures, including over 400 homes, have been damaged or destroyed.

Behind every number is afamily, alivelihood and afuture suddenly thrown into uncertainty.

Tragically, the toll also includes ahuman life.

Cattle farmer Max Hobson died in the Longwood fire, and my thoughts are withhis family and loved ones and the wider community thathewas such a part of. Recovery after adisaster isn't measured in days or weeks; it's measured in years. It requires ongoing commitment from all levels of governmentlocal, state and federal -and the many communities and thousands of volunteers who always step up when it matters most.

The announcement of afurther $160 million

in recoverysupport from the federal and state governments is asignificant step in that long journey, building on more than $210 million already committed.

The support package covers awiderangeof programs, from immediate clean-up andtemporary accommodation to financial counselling for affected businesses and mental health support.

Alongside this assistance stands the extraordinary contribution of volunteers -the firefighters, the recoveryworkers, the local groups and the neighbours helping neighbours.They'vebeen at the forefrontofthe bushfire response, working day and night to protect their communities.

Their courage, compassionand tireless efforts restore hope and remind us of the very best of the Australian spirit in times of crisis.

The braveryofour emergency services doesn't stop with bushfires.

Justafew weeks ago, on January15, while parts of the state were battling bushfires, communities and holiday-makers in Wye River, Kennett River, Cumberland River and Lorne faced intense rainfall that caused flash flooding.

Thankfully, therewere no serious injuries or casualties.

Iwant to thank the local SES crewsand CFA

brigades for keeping people safe and coordinating clean-up efforts.

I'd also like to recognise anotherremarkable group, Operation Veteran Assist, who havehad abusysummer.

Established afterthe 2020 Black Summer bushfires and led by the Hawthorn RSL sub-branch, OVA supportsveterans whohave lost homes, farms or livelihoods to bushfires. They clearfallen trees,restore access to properties, repairfences and demolish damaged outbuildings, making areal difference on the ground where it's needed most, particularly by the many veterans,who deserve their assistance.

In one week, 37 volunteers, who are themselves veterans, worked on eight properties in Alexandra and Ruffy,withthe support of arange of RSL sub-bran ches, including Alexandra, Epping, Dandenong, Cranbourne, Noble Park, Seymour and some interstate affiliates. Well done to everyone involved. Their teamwork and generosity have made areal differencetoveterans and their families during avery challenging time.

Ialsowant to acknowledge Australia's forestry industry,which playsa vital role in bushfire prevention, mitigation and response.

Each year, our for estry sector inves ts

COMMENT

BY DR JOSEPH TAM

MONDAY, January 26, Australia Day, was aday of reflection for me.

Not only did it mark my 40th wedding anniversary to my wife Anne-Maree -and like for many first generation Australians, recallmemoriesof receiving my Australian citizenship many decades ago -Iwas also pleasantly surprised to be appointed aMember of the Order of Australia by Her Excellency the Governor General on behalf of HM King Charles III for services to Paediatric Medicine and Rural Health. Many of thehighlights of my medicalcareer occurred during the 20 years Ispent practising paediatrics in Traralgon.

After completing specialist trainingatthe Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Sydney, I accepted the offer to relocate with my young family to the Latrobe Valley to first work at the old Moe and Traralgon Hospitals, and to then become the first Clinical Lead in Paediatrics at the then new Latrobe Regional Hospital which opened in 1998.

The Paediatric Department subsequently grew from asolitary specialist (me!) into amuch larger team comprising ahalf-dozen specialist paediatricians and awider team of registrars and residents, simultaneouslyservingaspart of the Monash University School of Rural Health to help train the next generation of doctors,and to encourage them to pursue ruralpracticeasspecialists and general practitioners. In 2017 Irelocated to Shepparton to accept an appointment at Goulburn Valley Health and began anew chapter in my career.

My two decades in Traralgon howeverremain close to my heart.

It was humbling to learn that many families chose to make the long journey from the Valley so their children could continue to receive care from me.

Ihave been overwhelmed by the number of past patients and colleagues that have reached out to congratulate me for receiving the AM.

Receiving this award was the last thing that I expected.

For me, diligently doing my job, trying to ensure that regional communities have access to medical

care that is as good as those living in the city, advocating for my patients, ensuring that they receive the best medical care possible and to train and mentor the next generation of doctors is simply my job.

Icontinue to be impressed by the commitment and sacrifice demonstrated by many families from the Valleyand other rural areaswho so oftenhave to travel long distances and take extended time off work to seek appropriate medical care.

Ican only hope that in the long-term, this burden continues to be alleviated through improved access and availability of medical careinruraland regional Victoria.

Serving the LatrobeValley community wasa highlight of my medical career.

Iwould like to thankthe patients and parents of the Latrobe Valley for the opportunity to serve, and for all those (especially the nurses in SCN, Children Wardand ED) who supported me duringthe 20 years that Ilived, worked and raised afamily in the Latrobe Valley.

Dr Joseph Tam, AM FRACP FAAP

over $100 million in these efforts. According to the Australian Forest Product Association, forestry businesses maintain 137 fire towers with detection cameras and investment worth $8 million; they create firebreaks and perform road maintenance and prescribed burns, worthalmost $65 million; and they provide over 1200 response appliances, such as bulk watercarriers, and 1500 trained personnel, representing nearly $30 million in frontline capability.

As co-chairofthe Parliamentary Friends of Forestry, Timber and Paper Products, Iamproud to highlight the industry's important role, notjust in employing many workers in regional towns but also in defending towns from bushfires.

Above all, the Albanesegovernment stands with every Victorian affected by this year's bushfires, notjust in the immediate aftermath, but over the long road to recovery.

We're committed to working alongside communities, emergency services and volunteers to ensure that support is there every step of the way.

Together, we will rebuild not just what was lost, but stronger, saferand more resilient communities for the future.

From Federal Labor Senator Raff Ciccone's senate speech on February 3, 2026.

Home is still where the heart is afterAustralian Idol experience

By AIDAN KNIGHT

BLAIKE Murphy has been vying for an Australian Idol audition for two years.

The Westbury-based musician was thrilled to have the opportunity this year, after he appeared on the 11th season of the program last week (Wednesday, February 3).

To celebrate securing airtime on national TV, Murphy collaborated with Peninsula Cinemas in Warragul to host aliveshow in the theatre on the night of the audition's airing.

This isn't the firsttimehe's collaborated with alocal business, having played shows previously at Moe's Sumo Skate Shop, Traralgon's Goodland Brewery, and is currentlyintalksfor asimilar event at Future Flicks, Moe video rental later in the year.

This is apersonal commitment he's made, as an

independent local artist, to try and benefit local and independent businesses, especially thoseconsidered abit more niche or rare in 2026.

"Workingwithsmallerbusinesses and struggling industries is an interesting one, because I think right now almost everything is astruggling industry," he told the Express.

"I want to start doing more collabs with small businesses, so say aretail store opens late for business,wecome and play (a set) and get a heap of visuals and content done while there, and everybody cross-promote each other."

For Murphy, the idea to play inside acinema was as much about passion as it was practicality.

“The idea came about simply because Ithought it’d be cool,” he said.

“In the day and age of strea ming ,e veryone’s at home, and they should supportlocal

cinema because, honestly, cinema is really cool.”

The gamblepaidoff. The event soldfar more tickets than Murphy expected, with aroundhalf thecinema filled on the night.

The audience reflected the broad appeal he has built locally, with families, young fans and older listeners all turning out. Cinema seats were occupied by mums nursing babies alongside retirees, sitting among Murphy’s core fanbase of teenagers and 20-somethings.

"We sold way more seats than Iever could have imagined," Murphysaidafter the show, which he admitted to being half-shocked was allowed to go ahead.

Murp hy' ss ur pris ing hig h-reg ister perfor mance of Ak on's Lo nel y may no th ave got him through to the next round with the judges, but for Murphy, it's about the small

advancements that make the difference.

The comedic garage-rocker has lived in Gippsland his whole life, and has toured the country supporting arange of Triple J-promoted indie outfits and festivals.

He has announced plansfor 52 releases this year -publishing new music every Friday. This grand scheme isn't limited to lone singles either, with the first release of the calendar year being a three-track EP titled GROM -areference to his passion for skating outside of music.

The 26-year-oldLatrobe Valley local won't be returning to Australian Idol this season, but isn't rulingout acomeback on the Channel 7screens at anytime in the future.

For now, Murphy’s focus remains firmly local -building audiencesone unconventional venue at atime.

Connolly connects with Gippy before show

By AIDAN KNIGHT

GERRY Conolly is an artist with asoft spot for the LatrobeValley.

The seasoned nationalperformer, who has worked as an actor, comic, and musician across stages and screens since 1983, is returning to aregion he’s known for decades -and one he describes with genuine affection. He's been comingback and forth to Moe and Traralgon for so long to visit close friends, among rehearsingand touring around the rest of the country, that he cannotbesure if he's ever formally performed in the region before. "Some of my closest friends in life have been the Derham family," he told the Express in arecent interview ahead of his show at the Gippsland PerformingArts Centre, although the last time he was in Traralgon was for the funeral of abeloved friend. Personal ties aside, for Conolly, the chance to perform in places likethe Latrobe Valley is more than just another stop on atour schedule.

Growingupinthe smallQueensland town of Theodore gives him an easy rapport with regional crowds.

For readers less familiar with his name, Conolly is one of Australia’s most enduring satirists. Since graduatin gf rom the Queensl and

Conservatorium of Music (Bachelor Music) in 1983,

he has built acareer acrosstheatre, cabaret, television and festivals at home and abroad, best known for skewering royalty, politicians and public figures.

His work has appeared in major state theatre company productions, international festivals and long-running TV staples including Fast Forward, Spicksand Specks, Kath &Kim and hisown Gerry Connolly Show.His most famouscreation is his acclaimed guiseasHer MajestyThe Queen -a role he has performed on stage, on television and at countless corporate and publicevents across Australia and the Commonwealth.

Acrossfour decades,hehas been in steady demand as aperformerand presenter, opening and closing conferences, debates and galaevenings with amix of musical skill and razor-sharp mimicry

“I think there’s probably asense of, Ihope, being relaxed, because I’m from the bush, from asmall town,” he said.

“It’sgreat to interact with regional cities, and for it to be special for them and yourself, rather than the metro city, where there’s too much going on.

“There are hundreds of shows and thousands of performers, and you have to sort of cut through it."

In regional centres, the arrival of a touring show can feel more like the circus coming to town

“Maybe I’m anot an elephant or a lion -maybeI’m aclown,” he laughed.

Regionaltours also allowhim to keep his satire alive and responsive without havingtorewrite an entire show every week.

“Regionaltours help because you’re thinking of where you’re going and what they’re interested in,” he said.

Conolly likes to test out local references in each place, letting audience reactions guide him.

down well however, as local rapper Greeley discovered last week when performing some unsavoury comments regarding Federal Memberfor Gippsland Darren Chester on local radio, which backfired on him and caused astironline.

Alongside the royal send–ups and political barbs, Conolly’s CV ranges from Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap to Gilbert and Sullivan’s Piratesof Penzance,cabaret hits like Tomfoolery and new Australian works such as The Rise and Disguise of Elizabeth R.Hehas co-written projects including State of Origin, The Musical and continues to tour solo shows at major venues and festivals.

For Valley audiences accustomed to stand–up and touring comics dropping in with afew local jokes, Conolly’s mix of piano, character work, satire and storytelling promises something alittle different –and alittle more personal.

As he put it, in aline that could as easily apply to the Latrobe Valleyastohis own career: “It’s like when the circus came to Theodore. It was monumental."

“The audience’s responses will inform me abouthow astute I’ve been …it’s trial an error.”

In his interview withthe Express, Conolly enquired on the public tone surrounding some of the more prominent happenings in the Latrobe Valley in the last year, indicating some prototype material already in the works.

This isn't always something that goes

Connection: Enter tainment allrounder Gerry Connollyhas strong tiestothe Latrobe Valley. Photograph supplied

Local artists encouraged

THIS year is the 100th anniversary of the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).

This is the body that both copyrights and manages the works of composers, songwriters, publishers and performers across Australia and New Zealand, ensuring everyone is paid what they deserve when original music is played -inany format. Any established or emerging independent artist within the LatrobeValley would be encouraged to register their original songs with APRA, which enables them to receive royalties for their worksbeing performed by themselves or other artists, on radio, or in public.

The organisation also serves as an industry message board for those workinginall areas, whether performance, audio engineers, or songwriters -keeping artists up to date on opportunities such as available grants, current competitions, surveys, developments and discounts in recording software and hardware.

APRA works in conjunction with sister organisation, the Australian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) and togethermanageand pay out performers currently totallingmore than 128,000 throughout Australia and New Zealand, underthe Australian CopyrightAct (1968). Anybody with availablemusic can become an APRA AMCOS member, and this year, eightmembers were recognisedwith Order of Australia awards. These included:

 Rob Hirst, drummer and co-writer of Midnight Oil (recently deceased);  Eliza Hull -musician, mentor and disability advocate within the sector;  Barry McGuire -WASymphony Orchestra, Fatboy Slim live performance band;  Jeff and Ron King -Foreday Riders, and;  Dr Kevin Guyurruyurru Rogers (deceased) -Yugul band cowriter and music scholar.

Regardless of how many tickets an artist sells or how much money is made at alive performance or busking, if they register their originalworks and upload asetlist to APRA each time they

alk Reel Talk

FOR Valentine’s Day week, Reel Talk turns its attention to amodern romancethat knows love isn’t always neat, tidy, or set to ahappy ending.

Romantic realism officer Aidan Knight joins Blake Metcalf-Holt (who once described his last breakup as alow-budget Schindler's List)torevisit La La Land -a film about big dreams, missed connections, and the kind of love thatchangesyou, even if it doesn’t last forever.

Released in 2016 and directed by Damien Chazelle, La La Land stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. Stone plays Mia, an aspiring actor, while Gosling plays Sebastian, ajazzmusician clinging to tradition in acity built on reinvention.

Setagainst acandy-coloured vision of Los Angeles, the film blends classic Hollywood musical influences with acontemporary romantic realism, charting arelationship shaped as much by ambition as affection.

Sweeping musical numbers give way to quieter, more reflectivemoments, ultimately asking whether love and success can always coexist -or whethersome romances are defined by the timing that just wasn’t right.

Now, it's time for REEL TALK...

Blake Metcalf-Holt: Possibly,LaLaLand is best known by passive filmgoers as the victim of the Oscars slip-up of 2017, and while it's quite funny that is how Hollywood treated Chazelle and histinseltown love letter, thoseinstant memories don't necessarily do the film justice. Musicals are some of the mosttranscendent, easily successful creations in the industry, and that can be pointed directlyhere. Justasone of the central protagonists describes jazz as it stands in the music scene, this film in particular gives life to an otherwise 'dying' genre. It's classic in the sensethat you are provided with all the essentials from the greats of the past (Singing in the Rain most relatively), but it grips you withastory and adirectionthat is so palpable thatthe first few viewings could either makeor break your opinion of the film.

Aidan Knight: For afilm sold as aglossy, champagne-on-ice, winter-coat date movie, La La Land is far sturdier than its marketing ever let on. On paper, it’s ariskyproposition. Amodern musical steeped in nostalgia, set in Los Angeles, released in an era deeply suspicious of sincerity. Cheap pastiche was always lurking. Instead, director Damien Chazelleplays it straight,and the film never collapses into irony or hollow homage. It commits, fully and confidently, to what it wants to be. I’d argue this approach works even better here than in Once Upon aTime in Hollywood,which occupies

asimilar creative lane. Where Quentin Tarantino luxuriates in pastiche, La La Land actually speaks the language of classic cinema fluently, rather than just quotingit. It doesn’t wink at old Hollywood -it trusts it.That confidence shows in the quieter choices. Aslowzoom on Emma Stone around the 17-minute mark feels lifted straight from a1950s melodrama,while therecurringdimmingoflights is handled with arestraint modern films often forget exists. These momentsdon’t announce themselves; they simply work.

BMH: Theheightened L.A. of it all is something thatattractsmetoany movie attemptingtodevote itself to the movie town. While the film frames its setting as picturesque as imaginable, as the minutes flow by, particularly once the tension of our two characters hits its apex, yourealisethe crux that Chazelle is presenting of this larger creative community. That choice of whether you can chase your dreams while also maintaining yourrelationship with asignificant other extends beyond the borders of Hollywood and inner-Los Angeles, but it's an accurate canvas to reflect those difficulties in life. That sacrifice can then define your trajectory, and it's dependant on the outcome and the person whetherthey hold thatchoicefondly in mind or not. Those are the themes that pull on the heart stringsa littlemore thanyourtypical picture with musical notes and is what elevates it above.

AK: Stone is the film’s anchor. Her timingis sharp, the musical numbers never tip into cheese, and she grounds the film’s romantic optimism in something recognisably human. The humour translates effortlessly into the music, whether it’s athrowaway gag about polyester suits (“It’s wool”)orthe excellent party scene whereshe requests IRan from aband clearly hoping she won’t. Ryan Gosling is more uneven. He’s effective in stillness -brooding at apiano, sulking through missedchances -but tendstooverplay scenesonce an argument begins. Lines like “Unpaid bills are not romantic”landbecause the script is sharp,not because Gosling discovers anything new in the delivery. Most of thecasting worksbeautifully, though John Legend feels like arare misfire. His performance never quite gels with the film’s tone, andhecomes off oddly stiffer than Stone in scenes meant to crackle with creative tension. There’s also afun piece of accidentalhead-canon:J.K.Simmons pops up briefly as agruff piano bar owner, and it’s hard not to imagine this as an early chapter in the Whiplash universe. If nothing else, it adds an unexpected edgetoanotherwise light moment.

BMH: Since its release adecade ago, many critics, in an effort to applaud the picture or denigrate it, point to La La Landbeing a'definitiveanti-love story'. Whileitiscredibletoview the film that way, too much of the offerings on screen provide me reasonstobelieve thatthis is saying something much more deeper. Istand that even though the score is close to perfect, not all of the musical numbers are afond review, but the dream sequences especially articulate all that is to be desired both in and around love.Everything is aboutthe choices

we make and what that leads to, and thatjourney, justlike love, isn'tperfect and can often times hurt. What Ithink is best taken from this movie is that while all those emotions shared with another, both happy and sad, come and go throughout one's life, it's important to cherish all of them and look back as best youcan on all those moments positively.

While Iwouldn't call this anti-love, it definitely does not have aclassic Hollywood ending, despite it in every other way being aclassic Hollywood film.

AK: Not every creativechoicelands. Some of the more dreamlikesequences (particularly the dancing among the stars) feel indulgent, and the film occasionally lingers on spectacle when mood alone would have sufficed. It does feel its length, just alittle. Still, the tone remains impressively consistent. While marketed as adate-nightromance, La La Land proves surprisingly versatile -just as

engaging on awarmSaturday arvo couchviewing as it is in adarkcinema in winter.That adaptability is rare and worth noting. Visually, it’s gorgeous LosAngeles is captured as luminous, lonely, and lived-in,rather than postcard-perfect. And finally,a personal realisation:thisisthe film that made me notice Emma Stone bears an uncanny resemblance to Sarah Snook -athoughtthat, once lodged, refuses to leave. La La Land isn’t flawless, but it is sincere, technically assured, and emotionally aware. In an era where irony often replaces feeling, that alone makes it worth celebrating. If the only thing you can bear to watch is agripping action or fast-paced thriller, don't bother, but everyone else should see this at least once.

BMH: ★★★★☆

AK:

From busking in Yarram to the Aus Open

By PEACE IJIYERA

FOLK rock band Ally Row, based in Yarram, performed at the Australian Open on Australia Day.

In an exclusive interview with the Express the Friday before the big performance, the Ally half of the duoshared their journey to thebig stage. Highlighting their humble beginnings busking, and their aspirations for the future.

At the time of the interview, Ally Row had just completed performing at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, which ran from January 16 to January 25.

Technically, this was the duo’s third time at the event but second time performingonthe main stage, with the first time being as buskers.

“It's fantastic to see the growth that we have in the industry but also watching other artists that we all bonded with when we all were busking on the streets, and then seeing them all grow over the last few years as well," Ally said.

"It's cool to see us all growing and getting more of afan base and finding our identity abit."

The pairwas informedthatthey wouldbeplaying at the Australian Open on ajourney to agig in Geelong.

Feeling exhausted because they had just gotten back from atour in Western Australia, they were holding out for some good news.

“Wejustgot aphone call from our managerKaz, andshe goes ‘ohjust alittle bit of good news, our bookingagent got you into the AusOpen’, and we're like ‘oh my gosh this is so cool’ because it's something that we did not expect," Ally said.

And that’s the thingabout life.The bestand sometimes the worst of things happen when you least expect it. Ally Row was on the bill with some of the biggest namesinAustralian music, including, The Kid Laroi, The Veronicas and Spacey Jane. A whole lot of pop and indie, but no folk-rock.

“We looked at the line-up, and we thought ‘this is insane’ and also we felt quite specialbecause we were looking at the genres of the line-up and there wasn't alot in our folk-rock, kind of old country, and so we thought, that's kind of cool that we can be that token duo for the gig," Ally said.

"It was surreal because at the time we were drivingand doingsomegig for acouple hundred bucks to 10 people or whatever and it just kind of shows thatsometimes when you're feeling likeyou're not movingforward, and you'renot progressingand you're not getting anywhere then suddenly abig thing likethis drops on your lap and you'relike ‘far out this is incredible’.

Allysaysthatthe call up fromthe AusOpen ignited afireand sparked anew motivation for the duo.

“Something with music is that you fallinto these momentsoflike ‘what are we doing?Iseverything worth it?’. So, it gave us areal sort of fire under ourbellies to lockinthis year,"she said

BeforeAlly Row, there was Alice Fitzgerald and Rowan Sizer

The pair grew up in the suburbs of Melbourne and experimented with many careers before landing on doing music full time.

Rowan hadhis own gardening business and worked in disability support. Ally tried acareer in film and TV, being an actress, then areal estate agent. Afew managerial positions and astint being abarista later, before finding the true calling.

“Weenjoyed it [jobs]asmuch as we could during that time. It wasn’t something that we wanted to do forever," Ally said.

Swappingthe suburban city life for aquiet country lifestyle, the duo decided to pack their lives into their car and travel interstate after the lockdown restrictions were lifted.

The pair travelled up the east coast to North Queensland and travelled around for aabout a year-and-a-half. Ally’s family had movedtoYarram acouple of years before, and in missing them, the pairdecided to have a“pit stop” down in South Gippsland.

What was intended to be atemporary stay to figure out what they wanted to do, birthed the reality of Ally Row.

“When we gotthere [Yarram] we started busking at the Woolies and people were so lovely and generous, and it held the record for the most amount of money we've made in an hour," she said.

"Then we did acafé busking session and then the community started sort of slowly reaching out and saying ‘you guys are great’ and then we got offered to do few littlegigs around just to ease into thecommunity.

"Then next minute we thought, 'I don't really want to leave' so, we just decided that that was where we wanted to stay and it [Yarram] became our home base."

To be on stage, performing to people and having the audience connect with their sound is the highlight of everything they do.

"It'severything to us, the reason we're so excited when we get to perform is because that's literally our whole motivation for music -just being able to connect with people.

"It's pretty surreal because we forget that this isn't necessarilysomethingthat's common,tobe

able to writemusicout of your head, putitonto instruments and then go out and play in front of people and have people come up and say. 'I've never heard that song before, and Ireally resonate with the story and the melodies'.Its asurreal experience because you'vecreated it out of your own body and spirit and then you chuck it into asong and next minute, you're creating connections outofthin air

"It's addictive. It's something that we're always on the lookout for you never know what kind of people are going to connect."

As an emerging artist, it can be easy to conform to the textbook route of making aname for yourselfsing other people's songs until you feel comfortable to sing your own.

Ally's advice is to not.

"Don't feel pressure to have to conform to doing the cover route all the time. If you're getting alot of gigs and you're feeling pressured to have to just learn the same old covers to entertain the crowd, just try to keep in the back of your mind that there's abig worldout there of people that want to hear what you have to say, so don't feel that pressure," she encouraged.

"Make sure you reach out and find other artists at all different stages coming together and doing agig together they've been the most memorable and most impactful things that we've done, so reaching out Instagram DM's or emailingand saying, 'hi, I'mblahblahblah, and I'm near you and I've seen you around. Would love to organise if Icould jam with you or open for you'.

"There's reallygreat ways to get into communities cause it's very isolating when you're an artist and so if you can find your people and reach out you'll learn alot.Itcan be really good foryour mental health as well because when you're going through some of the harder times, you've got people that understand what you're talking about."

From busking outsideWoolworthsinYarram to performing on national stages, Ally Row have achieved much in their musical career.

With apromising future ahead, they continue to reach for the stars, all while repping Gippsland every step of the way.

Ally Rowwill return home to Yarram to perform at the Regent Theatre on Friday, February 27.

GIPPSLAND STEEL

GIPPSLAND Steel Centre has been in operation since 1999,providing customersacross the region with the largest rangeofsteel,roofing and accessories

With 40 years' valuable industry experience,Gippsland Steel Centrestaff areabletotailor their services to meet the needs of customers. Countonthem to always be prompt, reliable, customer-oriented and to always provide superior products

your needs.Whether you’dlike to pickupyour products or have them delivered to your site,theywill gladlyaccommodateyou.

Being family-owned, Gippsland Steel areproud of their ability to offerpersonalised services to customers, and will makesureto provide youwith an option to suit

Gippsland Steel Centre is proud to be home to the largest steel product inventoryinGippsland. Come to them fortop-quality materials and reliable delivery

services.Whether yourequirea small piece of steel or alot of par ts foraproject,you can count on their professional, friendlyteam to get your job done right

Phone Gippsland Steel on 5135 6600 or come see the team in person at 527 Princes Drive, Morwell.

BULLS for Hire/Sale

Angus, Limousin, Jersey, Hereford and Friesian, very quiet. 0447 331 762.

CHICKENS

2nd

MOE 5Ferguson street. Sat, 8:30am -2pm. Brica-brac, toys, table and chairs and more.

NEWBOROUGH 6Venice St, Sat 14 Feb. 8am2pm, DVD's, CD's, gardening, household goods, collectable and more.

Household

art supplies, CD's, DVD's, stationary, bric-abrac, abit of everything.

Submissions can be made by:

Public Notice of Intent to Acquire Land 88-90 Cross’s

Act

(Act) of its intention to acquireaneasement for the purposes of drainage ove rp art of the property located at 88-90 Cross’s Road, Tr ar algon Vic 3844, mor ep artic ularly described as Lot6onPlan of Subdivision PS5313 65V (the Pr oposal), as shown highlightedingreyonthe plan to the left

Any person wishing to make a submission on the Proposal is invited to do so in writing. Written comments will be considered at afutureCouncil Meeting and must be re ceived by Council by no later tha n5 pm on 13 Ma rc h2 02 6.

Email to latrobe@latrobe.vic.gov.au quoting reference No PO26-01.

Post to the Chief Executive Officer,Latrobe CityCouncil, PO Box264 Morwell VIC 3840 quoting reference No PO26-01.

Formoreinformation, contact Mr Josh Graham, Coordinator Property Operations, Latrobe City Council on 0400 907 728oremail josh.graham latrobe.vic.gov.au.

Or via Council’s website: www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/news-and-media/Public_Notice_ of Intent to AcquireLand 88 90 Crosss Road Traralgon VIC 3844 Latrobe Steven Piasente CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 9Februar y2026

CASH IN HAND!

MILESTONES

-classifieds@lvexpress.com.au

Latrobe Road &Panoramic Lane

Commencing Wednesday, 11 February2026

Sewerite Civil Pty Ltdadvises residentsand road usersthatsewer upgrade works will be undertaken in Morwell,commencing Wednesday 11 February2026, and continuing through to late June2026, subject to weather and site conditions.

These works form part of essential infrastructure Traffic Impacts upgrades within the area.

During the works, the following traffic conditions will apply:

• Latrobe Road: Single-lane closures will be in place within active work zones for the duration of the works

• Panoramic Lane: Single-lane closures will be in place for approximately the first 2–3 weeksofthe works

• Traffic management,signage, and traffic controllers will operate as required to maintain safe access and traffic flow

• Residents and road users mayexperiencedelays, changed traffic conditions, noise, dust,and increased construction vehicle movements.

Sewerite Civil PtyLtd apologises for any inconvenience these works maycause and thanks residentsand road users for their patience and cooperation while these essential infrastructure works arecompleted.

ADVERTISERS

PLEASE NOTE:

Much hardship and difficulty is caused to job seekers by misleading advertising placed in the employment columns.

Our Situations Vacant columns are reserved for advertisements which carry aspecific and genuine offer of employment. Ads for `Business Opportunities' and `Training Courses' and `Employment Services' should be submitted under those headings.

Placing misleading ads is an offence against the Trades Practices Act and state/territory fair trading acts and all advertisements are subject to the publisher's approval. For further advice, contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on 1300 302 502 or your state consumer affairs agency.

DEAN'S

REPAIRS

Qualified Spray Painer and Panel Beater wanted to join the team at a small but busy panel shop in Morwell. 4th year apprentice considered. Call 5134 3148 for a confidential chat.

We alocal labour hire company located in Traralgon. We are currently looking for qualified hairdressers, Disability Support Workers, and Curtains and Blinds Installers. Apply at: gsalabourhire.com.au, call 0483 923 007 or scan the QR code

DELIVERERS WTD

Would you like to deliver the Latrobe Valley Express newspaper to individual homes on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons in Morwell, Traralgon, Moe, Newborou gh and Churchill? Please apply to the Circulation Manager 0456 000 541. Please note: Children must be 11 years or over as we will need to apply for agovernment Child Employment Permit Children younger than 11 cannot or will

• BoxOfficeAdministrator - Casual andTemporary Part Time

Creative IndustriesDevelopment Specialist– PermanentFullTime

• AssistantBuilding SurveyorTemporaryFullTime

Client SupportOfficer - Temporary FullTime

• Senior StatutoryPlanner PermanentFullTime

PlanningCompliance Officer- PermanentFullTime

• BuildingMaintenance Officer Carpentry- PermanentFullTime

SupervisorSportingReserve

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• LearntoSwim Instructor- Casual

EarlyChildhood EducatorCertificate IIIand DiplomaQualified - MultiplePermanentPartTimeand Full Time positions available

EarlyChildhood Educator Additional Assistant - Multipletemporary positions available

• Early

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G15 1.5 petrol, 87,000k's, 12 mth's rego, 1SW2WR, $16,995. Ph. 0456 308 946.

Deaths •

GILLESPIE

Bernard Patrick 'Pat'

Born on 25 May, 1940. Passed away 6February 2026. Passed

peacefully at Baw Baw Views Moe, Friday 6February 2026. Aged 85 years Loved and loving husband of Aroha. Father of Shane, Patrick and Adele. Father-in-law of Casey. Adored Poppy of Laura, Quinn and Maeve. Brother and brother-in-law of Declan, Brendan, Margaret, Lex, Richard, Tai, Bridgette, Sharlene, Lynda, Evangeline, Moira and families. In God'scare. Private cremation -no service.

Romano (Mano) Our dearest Mano, Our hearts are heavy now that you are no longer with us. My brother Mano, thank you for everything you taught me. You were larger than life -amentor and apillar of resilience with adeep love for us all. Ifind comfort in knowing you are now reunited with dad, reminiscing about days on the farm. Uncle, you were the pinnacle of fun. Istill hear the echoes of your chant 'evviva gli sposi' at our wedding and picture your favourite move on the dance floorthe unforgettable 'irrigator'. With love always and forever, Victor,Mary, Christina, Nick &Philomena

MANTHOS (nee D'Alia) Caterina Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, Monday 2February 2026. Aged 91 years Loving wife of Emmanuel (dec.). Loved and respected mother and mother-in-law of Alexandra and Michael, Georgina and John, Rosa and Mario, Toula and George. Cherished Nonna to her 14 grandchildren and Bis Nonna to 12 greatgrandchildren. Reunited with her beloved husband. At Peace.

ROBINSON Ian Thomas Malcolm Born on 28 December 1959. Entered into eternal rest after abrave journey on 31 January, 2026. Loving eldest son of Malcolm and Beverly Robinson (both dec.). Much loved brother, father and uncle, will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Fly High Ian

ROBINSON Ian Service No. 357764

The President, Committee, Staff and Members of the Moe RSL Sub-Branch are deeply saddened by the passing of their esteemed Service Member and friend, Ian. We offer our sympathy to all his family.

LEST WE FORGET

TANTAU James Douglas (Doug) Passed away peacefully at Maryvale Private Hospital, Friday 6February 2026. Aged 71 years Loving husband of Pauline, father of Mark and Toni, Kaila and Tim, pa of Tyson and Riley, and brother of Janine. Also uncle, brother-in-law and good friend of many. Rest in Peace.

TANTAU Doug

You were my younger brother, but bigger in every way. Alarger than life presence, who could light up any day. You had asmile for everyone, a heart bigger than your size. Aloyal friend, ajoker too, with wisdom deep inside. Much loved brother of Janine, uncle to Jason and Lauren.

TANTAU Doug

The Morwell Swimming Club Committee and families are deeply saddened by the passing of our Life Member Doug Tantau. Acompetitor, coach and friend to many since 1960. The longest consecutive competitor for the Morwell Swimming Club. Doughelda Gippsland Championship record for 31 years! He will be greatly missed. Condolences to Doug's family at this sad time.

GARDNER

The Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Joan Gardner will take place in the Rose Chapel at Gippsland Memorial Park Crematorium, Cemetery Dr Traralgon, MONDAY (16 February 2026) commencing at 10am.

MANTHOS Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Mrs. Caterina Manthos will be offered at Sacred heart Catholic Church Commercial Rd Morwell, WEDNESDAY (February 11 2026) at 11am. At the conclusion of Mass the Funeral will leave for the Traralgon Cemetery, Gippsland Memorial Park. The service for Caterina will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream, please visit our website. MOE-MORWELL-TRARALGON MOE 5126 1111 Place your tribute on latrobevalleyfunerals.com.au

TANTAU Doug

AMemorial Service to celebrate the life of Doug will take place at The Italian Australian Club, Princes Drive Morwell, THURSDAY (12 February 2026) commencing at 2pm. Privately Cremated.

onnoouur r yoouur r lo

CARPINTERI Maria 1/6/1930 -20/2/2025 In memoriam of the 1st year Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us everyday. Unseen, unheard but always near. Still loved, still missed. Love your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. AMasswill be offered on 15/2/2026 at Sacred Heart Church Morwell at 10:30am. Rest in peace.

DENNISON (nee Fahey) Elizabeth (Betty) 15/1/1925 -13/2/2025

100 years of life well lived. Twelve months have passed, your memory hasn't faded. We miss you everyday. Forever in our hearts. Lynette, Barry and family.

DREW Henry Thomas 1930 -22/1/2025 Dearly loved friend. Atrue gentleman. Now dancing in heaven. Beautiful memories. Love Allison

Birthday Memoriam •

MUSGROVE Gloria 12/2

To our darling Wife, Mum and Nan, Thinking of you on your birthday. It's been nearly two years since you left us, but the memories of your love and laughter remain our greatest treasure. Always in our hearts and missed every single day. Love, Us! XO

VERNON Alan The family of Alan Vernon would like to express their sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks for the love and support extended to us with the sudden passing of adored dad, pa and great-pa. To the amazing first responders and staff at LRH, Avon ward to cared for dad, the Morwell Bowls Club and to all who knew him, we are truly thankful and feel so blessed with the love we received. Bereavement Thanks •

When you lose someone close to you, it can be hardto put your thoughts and feelings into words

Apersonal message in the Latrobe Valley Express can say so much

Forfriendly advice on howto place your message contact The Classified Department 5135 4455

LATROBE VALLEY FUNERAL SERVICES

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Finals time baby in Sat pennant

BOWLS

STRZELECKI NORTH

SATURDAYPENNANT BY

MICHAEL HOLROYD

SATURDAY was the final round before finals on Strzelecki North.

Several interesting matches involved sides aiming for finals in Round 14.

 DIVISION 1

NEWBOROUGH visited top side Traralgon, with the visitors needing abig wintoremain second on the ladder for arepeat match this weekend.

It wasn’t to be, with Newborough only winning one rink with Sammy Atkinson winning 29 to 15 which was no match for James Scullinwinning 26-7 as Traralgon won 86-75.

Trafalgar was sitting third on the ladder and travelled to Traralgon RSL. The home side won two rinks, with Ross Sizeland 18-16 and George Cargill21-19.

However, Ian Miles won 25-11 and Nathan Cook 24-18 to give Trafalgar the win 84-68.

Longwarry entered the day in fourth place, and made short work of aweakened Morwell who were ensuring its Division 3team did not finish bottom of the ladder by dropping their skippers back, allowing Longwarry to win all rinks in an 87-55 win which

Melbourne, Shelley face off to end WNBL season

BASKETBALL

WNBL BY

BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

TRARALGON'S JadeMelbourneand her University of Canberra Capitals came ever so close to aWNBLfinals appearance.

Astrongmonth or so of play during the middle portion of theregularseason made it seem as though the Traralgonstarwould have her best shot of postseason action in her career.

Despite the mountain's of work the Capitals had done earlier on, including picking up crucial wins when their captain (Melbourne) wasabsent with a finger injury, the side still sat in danger of missing out due to athree-game losing streak.

As such, it came down to an all-or-nothing match against Southside MelbourneFlyers to complete the penultimate round of the regular season.

The Flyers sat agame above them, and if theCapitals could pick off their last two games, they'd be in aposition to leapfrog their opponent into the top four.

Despite their best efforts, the Capitals fell to Southside Melbourne by seven points at AIS Arena, Canberra on Tuesday, February 3.

After the first half ended in tied 44-all, the Flyers were able to lift in the crucial moments whenitmattered mosttosecure their finals berth.

Melbourne gaveither all, posting 23 points,six rebounds, three assists, and shootingfive-for-eight frombehindthe three-point line.

With their fate decided, the Capitals then finishedupthe 2025/26campaign by defeating Geelong Venom, 76 to 67 at AIS Arena last Saturday (February 7).

In aregional battle, Melbourne took on fellow Latrobe Valley export Jaz Shelley in the final game of the season.

The Capitals were able to rebound from their heart-breaking loss afew days earlier, and focussed up to finish the season on something of ahigh.

Melbourne tallied adouble-double with 10 pointsand 11 assists, while Shelley also scored 10 points and dished out six assists during her 50th WNBL match.

TheVenom started the season strongly, but ultimately finished with awin-loss record of 7-16, but only two games back of the Capitals.

Shelley led the league in steals with an average of 2.6 per game, while Melbourne finished third-best for assists in the league at an average of 5.9 per game.

allowedthem to jump up the ladder into second place;withTrafalgarthird and Newborough fourth.

In the second semi-final, Traralgon takes on Longwarry at Traralgon, with the visitors hoping to repeat its victory of its last visit.

Newborough travelstoTrafalgar who will be confident of defeating the visitors on their blue lagoon.

In the remaining match, cellar dwellers Morwell Club had abig seasonending win over Drouin 85-61. Glenn Trembath won 32-12.

 DIVISION 2

BOOLARRA retained top spot on the ladder with three rinks up at Traralgon (3) as they won 83-16. This meant Moe needed to win all four rinks against Garfield which they were unable to do as, Alan White defeated John Westerlo 25-9, leaving Moe the winners 90-67.

Moe will travel to Boolarra for its second semifinal, in arepeat of last week’s match where the home team won well.

Traralgon (2) will host Garfield in the other semi-final afteran80-61 result at Neerim District.

In the remaining match, Warragul defeated Traralgon RSL (2) 103-49 and remained in fifth place and probably ruing their agreement with Garfield not to play their recent match due to the predicted heat.

DIVISION 3



NEWBOROUGH (2)retained top position with a 91-59 win over bottom team Yinnar.

Trafalgar(2) retained secondplacefollowinga 69-75 loss against Moe (2) at Trafalgar.

Trafalgar(2) travelstoNewborough (2)after beating them at Trafalgar in their only loss for the season despite awashout in the matchat Newborough.

Longwarryfell to amuch-strengthened Morwell (2) 73-84 and will welcome Moe (2) in the other semi-final.

In the remaining match,Drouin defeated Thorpdale 102-64.

 DIVISION 4

WARRAGUL (2)remained top after travelling to second-placed Newborough (3) and were soundly beaten 88-49 in aprecursor to their semi-final at Warragul this week.

Yarragon had abig winathome over Traralgon (4) 82-60 to jump into third place. It got worse for Traralgon (4) as Yallourn North wonall rinksagainst Neerim District (2), winning 118-46. This enabled them to rise up the ladder into fourth, as Churchill won all rinks against Traralgon RSL (3) 91-52.

Yarragonwelcomes YallournNorth in the remaining semi-final.

 DIVISION 5

TRARALGON (5)insecond place defeatedGarfield in third 61-49, and go on to play top team Morwell (3) who defeated Trafalgar (3) 87-35. Garfield will play Drouin (3) in the other semifinal following a63-61 win against Warragul (3).

 DIVISION 6

NEWBOROUGH (4) at home lost its first match of the season, 61-44 against Longwarry (3). They will have arematchinthe semi-final at Newborough this weekend.

In the other semi-final, Morwell Club (2)hosts Morwell (4) after Morwell Club (2) lost to Moe (3) 62-47, but won enough points to remain in third place.

Boolarra (2)finished the season off in winning form73-64 againstTraralgon (6) withall rinksup.

 DIVISION 7

BOOLARRA (3) retained fourth place on the ladder following a33-29 loss to top team Drouin (4). Churchill won all rinksagainst Morwell(5) 51-26 and were denied fourth place by ScottGregor winning 19-18 for Boolarra (3) at Drouin (4). Thorpdale 46-36 left Traralgon RSL (3) to host Boolarra (3) in the semi-final this week.

Fishy business fools racegoers

HORSERACING

By LIAM DURKIN

IT got people talking at least.

But it was always too good to be true.

StonyCreekRacing Club sent the internet into overdrive last week, after rumours circulated the club had world-renowned DJ Fisher lined up to perform.

Asimple, one wordcryptic postwas all that was needed.

"Fisher" was posted by the clubonSunday, February 1.

Country Racing Victoria got in on the act, tagging Stony Creek in aphoto of the DJ alongside Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jamie Melham from last year's Spring Carnival.

The thought of Fisher, who is generally regarded as one of the top 10 DJs in the world, going from playing at Tomorrowland to Stony Creek, always carried with it some scepticism.

Still, everyone has their price, and all it takes is for someone to know someone.

Acity-based Melbourne cricket club famously got Chris Gayle out for agame, and booked DJ Havana Brown for the occasion in 2022.

Brown played aset in Traralgon the next year,

although it is unlikely Fisher will be making an appearance down this way any time soon (unless his career completely nosedives).

StonyCreek Racing Clubeventually came clean,announcing that it was actually Middlepub Fish -aka 'Fisher' -who would be on course for its publicans day this Sunday (March 15).

The meeting will serve as aprecursor to the StonyCreek Cup on Sunday, March 8(Labour Day long weekend).

Moe Racing Club'snext meeting is Sunday, February 22.

While Moe might not be able to get Fisher, it does attract some of the biggest names in racing, including Ciaron Maher and Peter Moody. Actually, Moe does get some of the biggest names in music.

Who could ever forget ShannonNoll rocking Moe Racing Club's Christmas party in 2022?

He even sang his signature song: "What about Mo-eeeee".

Early April fools: The internet wasabuzz lastweek, with rumoursFisher (pictured with Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jamie Melham) wouldperformatStony Creek. Photograph supplied

Number 500 “justanother game” for Freshy

CRICKET

SALE-MAFFRA BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

EVEN after notching ahalf-millennium of matches played, Rosedale-Kilmany cricketer Ian Freshwater continues to take it game by game.

Rollingout for his monstrous milestone of 500 games in Round 13 of the Sale-MaffraCricket Association 5th Grade season against Sale, Freshwater treated it as just aregular outing.

"Whenyou'veplayed thatmany, it's just another game," he said.

The premiersenior batsmen with more than 11,000 runs to his name, didn't shy away on his

special day, retiring on 51, and stumping the opposition skipper.

Nonchalant about his performance, Freshwater described it as an expectation, despite at the age of 62.

"That's my job as the captain, Ineed to do that (but) it was still quite special to actually contribute on the day."

Picking up abat as a12-year-old, Freshwater recalled training with the under-16 Kilmany side, but would get his first taste for the game through Rosedale and Kilmany's combined U14s team.

"When Istarted playing juniors, we started playing as Rosedale-Kilmany U14s before the club actually amalgamated," he said.

"I think that's when the seed was sown that we should become one club."

Not long after, Freshwatercaptured his first premiership, an U16s flag in 1979/80 (Rosedale-Kilmany's first of any kind following its amalgamation), but plenty more were to follow throughout his career.

Ultimately, Freshwater has amassed 11 premierships across club and representative cricket.

Thatincludes agolden period with the Warriors, featuring in athree-peat of flags in 1984/85, 1985/86, and 1986/87-standing as one of Freshwater's standout memories, alongside another personal one.

"Playing under my oldest son Leigh (who was) captain of the thirds with my youngest son Cameron, we won (the) premiership together, that was pretty special," he said.

"I reckon Imight have played two seasons with those boys before they went past me and went up the grades."

Freshwater has been ajunior coach for the past 25 years, with many of those kids coming through and playing in premierships alongside him. If including representative cricketand time spent at Nambrok (where he is in the club's Team of the Century),Freshwaterwould likely be sitting close to the 700-game mark

He has playedaround 50 games at Country Week for Sale-Maffra, as well as winning apremiership with theVictoria over-50s team, travelling to Western Australia.

The SMCA is at Freshwater's core, as in 2002 he was named Cricketer of the Year alongside Leighton Armstrongand 1996 North Melbourne premiership player Stuart Anderson. His family is well-knowninCricket Latrobe Valley circles through late Latrobe legend Graeme Freshwater and currentSharks captainSteven Freshwater.

All to play for with one round to go

BOWLS

STRZELECKI NORTH

MIDWEEK PENNANT

BY MICHAEL HOLROYD

MIDWEEK bowls resumed after aweek off for extreme heat on Tuesday, February 3. Competition for places in the final four reached an interesting stage after Round 13. There is one round to go.

 IN Division 1, Traralgon RSL defeated top team Newborough for the second time this season 66 to 52, the only two losses for Newborough.

Trafalgar gained atwo-point breakonRSL with all rinks up against Warragul 71-43 to hold onto second place on the ladder.

Traralgon won all rinks against Moe 75-43 to settle in fourth place.

Drouin defeated MorwellClub80-49toextinguish all hope of afinals berth for Morwell Club.

ATHLETICS

Round 12 of Gippsland Athletics Club trackand field season washeld Tuesday 3rdFebruary 2026.

ROUND 12 RESULTS: RECORD

U/14Women’s Hammer: Brooklynn Wyatt 42.17m (41.82m previous record, Brooklynn Wyatt Jan2026)

Open Women’s 100m: Zaria Dalton 12.18s (12.78s previous record, Raelene Pickering MOR, 5/11/96)

800M

Women: U/14–Brooklynn Wyatt 3:12.29, Xanthe Dalton 3:20.71

Men: U/16–Liam McCandless 2:43.35; Open –Cameron Hughes 3:08.62; Masters –StuartDalton DNF

HAMMER

Women: U/14–Brooklynn Wyatt 42.17; U/16–Zaria Dalton 24.94; Masters–Fiona Saltmarsh19.10

Men: U/16–Liam McCandless 12.79; Masters–Simon VanBaalen 41.43, Stuart Dalton 26.42, Wayne Seear 25.61

TRIPLE JUMP

Women: U/14–Brooklynn Wyatt 7.40

Men: U/16–Liam McCandless 7.69

SHOTPUT

Women: U/14–Brooklyn Wyatt 8.73; Open –Fiona Saltmarsh6.43; Masters–Fiona Saltmarsh 7.87

Men: U/16–Liam McCandless 6.15; Open –Simon VanBaalen 10.37; Masters–Simon VanBaalen 11.90, Wayne Seear 7.18 100M

Women: U/14–Brooklyn Wyatt 14.13, Open –Zaria Dalton 12.18

Men: U/16–Liam McCandless 12.00; Masters–StuartDalton 16.06, Wayne Seear 16.62

BOWLS

STRZELECKI NORTH

MIDWEEK PENNANT Round 13 03-Feb-26

DIVISION 1

Traralgon 16 75 Moe 043

Traralgon RSL1466Newborough 452

Trafalgar 16 71 Warragul 043

Drouin 16 80 Morwell Club 049

DIVISION 2

Newborough (2) 14 62 Newborough (3) 245 Morwell 16 87 Trafalgar (2) 046

Neerim District 16 80 Drouin (2) 046

Traralgon (2) 14 71 Yinnar 257

DIVISION 3

Warragul (2) 14 63 Longwarry255

Morwell (2) 15 63 Churchill 146

Traralgon (3) 14 65 Yarragon 263

Drouin (3) 16 93 Morwell Club (2) 036

DIVISION 4

Newborough (4) 12 55 Longwarry(2) 449

YallournNorth 12 58 Traralgon (4) 456

Morwell (3) 15 72 Traralgon RSL(2) 146 Garfield 16 68 Moe (2) 042

DIVISION 5

Warragul (3) 10 38 Morwell (4) 030

Trafalgar (3) 10 46 Yinnar (2) 032

Drouin (4) 840Neerim District (2) 234

Churchill (2) 840Traralgon RSL(3) 231

MIDWEEK PENNANT 2025 -26LADDERS

Round 13 3/2/2026

DIVISION 1

Name WL DF ADiff. P

Newborough 19 22691 565 126149

Trafalgar 17 42690 603 87 126

Traralgon RSL1 74 2660 593 67 124

Traralgon 17 42648 649 -1 121

Morwell Club 15 62636 632 497

Drouin 14 72640 665 -25 86

Warragul 13 82600 672 -72 70 Moe 12 92549 735 -186 59

Thelast round features top team Newborough hosting fourth team Traralgon. Trafalgar travelstoMorwell Club, two points clear of Traralgon RSL who travelstoMoe and need awin to rise above Warragul from bottom place who play Drouin at home.

 IN Division 2, Newborough (2) defeated Newborough (3) 62-45 to remain in top place, 15 points ahead of Morwell who won all rinks 82-46 against Trafalgar.

Traralgon (2)defeatedYinnar71-57 to sneak ahead of Newborough (3) in fourth place.

Neerim District won all rinks 80-46 against Drouin (2) to solidify third spot on the ladder.

The key games in Round 14 are Newborough (2) playing Traralgon (2), where awin couldenable Newborough (3) to defeat Yinnar and snatch fourth place going into the finals.

 IN Division 3, Warragul (2) upset league leaders Longwarry 63-55 for their first loss of

DIVISION 2

Name WL DF ADiff. P

Newborough 2101 2775 518257 166

Morwell 19 31797 587 210151

Neerim District 17 51704 684 20 115

Traralgon 26 52657 686 -29 103

Newborough 35 62650 705 -55 96

Drouin 2 3 8 2 582 715 -133 73

Yinnar 13 82593 706 -113 69

Trafalgar 22 92587 744-15759

DIVISION 3

Name WL DF ADiff. P

Longwarry1 10 12840 482 358 170

Warragul 28 32719 570 149140

Morwell 26 52684 61767115

Drouin 36 52689 61376107

Traralgon 35 53614 711-97 101

Yarragon 1 4 7 2 597 700 -103 87

Churchill 13 73562 683 -121 76

Morwell Club 21 10 2509 838 -329 36

DIVISION 4

Name WL DF ADiff. P Garfield 1102 1777 597 180164

Yallourn North 19 31724 679 45 129

Traralgon RSL2 65 2627 60126113

Longwarry2 56 2644 635 9102

Morwell 36 61732 697 35 101

Newborough 4 5 6 2 633 676 -43 100

Moe 23 82562 696 -134 69

Traralgon 42 10 1617 735 -118 54

DIVISION 5

Name WL DF ADiff. P

Drouin 49 22471 326 14596

Morwell 48 32447 409 38 81

Traralgon RSL3 65 2414 394 20 70

Warragul 36 52426 4141268

Neerim District 25 62436 4122462

Churchill 24 72380 428 -48 52

Yinnar 23 82390 477 -87 48

Trafalgar 33 82368 472 -104 43

SATURDAY PENNANT 2025 -26ROUND 14 07-Feb-26

DIVISION 1

Traralgon 16 86 Newborough 275 Trafalgar 14 84 Traralgon RSL468

Longwarry1887Morwell 055 Morwell Club 16 85 Drouin 261

DIVISION 2

Warragul 16 103Traralgon RSL(2) 249

Traralgon (2) 17 80 Neerim District 163

Boolarra1683Traralgon (3) 268 Moe 16 90 Garfield 267

DIVISION 3

Drouin (2) 16 102Thorpdale 264 Morwell (2) 16 84 Longwarry(2) 273

Newborough (2) 16 91 Yinnar 259

Moe (2) 12 75 Trafalgar (2) 669

DIVISION 4

Newborough (3) 16 88 Warragul (2) 249

Yarragon 17 82 Traralgon (4) 160

Churchill 18 91 Traralgon RSL(3) 052

YallournNorth 18 118Neerim District (2) 046

DIVISION 5

Morwell (3) 14 87 Trafalgar (3) 235

Traralgon (5) 13 61 Garfield (2) 349

Drouin (3) 12 63 Warragul (3) 461

DIVISION 6

Boolarra(2) 16 73 Traralgon (6) 064

Morwell (4) Bye

Longwarry(3) 14 61 Newborough (4) 242

Moe (3) 13 62 Morwell Club (2) 347

DIVISION 7

Drouin (4) 833Boolarra(3) 229

Thorpdale (2) 846Traralgon RSL(4) 236

YallournNorth (2) Bye

Churchill (2) 10 51 Morwell (5) 026

STRZELECKI NORTH PLAYING AREA

SATURDAY PENNANT LADDERS7 Feb

2026

DIVISION 1

Name WL DF ADiff. P

Traralgon 1121 11288 905 383 212

Longwarry1 86 01210982 228 152

Trafalgar 18 421121104081 151

Newborough 18 511114107539 140

Traralgon RSL1 58 1964 1140 -176101

Morwell 15 9010111110-99 97

Drouin 14 91931 1086-155 88

Morwell Club 13 11 0940 1241-30167

the season and shades of last year’s grand final in Division 4where Warragul snatched anarrow win.

Arematchisonthe cardsinthe second semi-final.

Drouin (3) defeated Morwell Club 93-36 to remain fourth, while Morwell(2) defeated Churchill 63-46 to retain third place.

Drouin (3) travels to Morwell (2) with the winner likely to host afinal between themselves with Traralgon (3) after defeating Yarragon 65-63.

Yarragon travels to Longwarry needing awin to have any hope of making the four.

 IN Division 4, Garfield is well clear on top following a68-42 win over Moe (2).

Yallourn North consolidatedsecondplace with a 58-56 win over Traralgon (4) with only one rink up.

Newborough (4) defeated Longwarry (2) 55-49 with only one rink up and remain in sixthposition, two points behind Longwarry (2) in fourth.

Morwell (3) defeated third placedTraralgon RSL

SCOREBOARD

DIVISION 2

Name WL DF ADiff. P

Boolarra1 10 311135885 250 183 Moe 1112 11107923 184182

Traralgon 29 501131991 140161 Garfield 15 72887 949 -62 121

Warragul 15 63871 859 12 119

Traralgon 35 81911 1027-116101

Neerim District 14 82902 937 -35 95 Traralgon RSL2 2120 896 1269-373 46

DIVISION 3 Name WL DF ADiff. P Newborough 2111 2983 856 127188 Trafalgar 28 42935 870 65 156 Longwarry2 75 2969 861 108140 Moe 27 52930 875 55 137 Thorpdale 15 72908 925 -17117

Drouin 24 82880 990 -110 101 Morwell 24 82874 908 -34 95 Yinnar 12 10 2837 1031-194 74

15 72947 875 72 125

YallournNorth (1)66 2907 969 -62 121 Traralgon 46 711005 972 33 117 Churchill 15 72894 920 -26 112

Traralgon RSL3 67 1943 1075-132110

Neerim District 23 10 1849 1252-403 70

DIVISION 5 Name WL DF ADiff. P Morwell 39 23787 552 235 152

Traralgon 59 32726 636 90 145

Garfield 27 43696 665 31 133 Drouin 36 62707 651 56 112

Trafalgar 33 92570 789 -21975

Warragul 31 11 2584 777 -193 55

DIVISION 6 Name WL DF ADiff. P

Newborough 49 12645 497 148152

Longwarry3 74 1670 61555112

Morwell Club 26 51669 584 85 106

Morwell 46 42556 583 -27 106 Moe 36 51673 61657103

Boolarra2 38 1566 765-19957

Traralgon 61 11 0683 802 -119 36

DIVISION 7 Name WL DF ADiff. P

Drouin 48 31464 295 16986

Morwell 56 51419 394 25 67

Traralgon RSL4 56 1376 377 -1 58

Boolarra3 56 1432 458 -26 56

Churchill 25 52342 361 -1953

YallournNorth 24 62355 399 -44 50

Thorpdale 25 70413 517-10450

GOLF

CHURCHILL ANDMONASH

Men’sMonthly Medal (Stroke) 31st January 2026

MonthlyMedal Winner: G. Spowart 68 Nett

ScratchWinner: R. Vesty83

PuttsWinner: G. Spowart 25

AGrade Winner: R. Vesty70Nett

BGrade Winner: G. Spowart 68 Nett

CGrade Winner: B. Mathieson 70 Nett

D.T.L: 1. C. Gosling 69, 2. D. Cluderay 70, 3.

A. Auld 71, 4. P. Chapple 71, 5. T. O’Sullivan

72, 6. S. Allison 72, 7. M. Brereton 72, 8. R. Sands 73, 9. R. Madigan 73

N.T.P: 3rdC.Waring,5th C. Gosling,12th G. Barnes,14th G. Maddocks

Birdies: 3rdM.Brereton

Target Hole: T. O’Sullivan

Women’sMonthly Medal (Stroke) –3rd

February 2026

MonthlyMedal Winner: M. McQuillan 75

Nett

ScratchWinner: S. Caldwell 100

PuttsWinners: L. Brent, J. Blizzard, K. Del Piccolo 32 putts

N.T.P: 3rdL.Brent, 5th S. Caldwell,12th C. Carder,14th K. Del Piccolo

MIRBOONORTH

Tuesday27th January Stableford

AGrade: GRenwick(10)41pts c/b

BGrade: Cayden Gunn (18) 36pts

(20 to move into fifth, one point behind Longwarry and one point in front of Newborough (4). Round 14 is interesting.

Yallourn North travels to Traralgon RSL (2) needingtowin by 10 shots and all rinks up to exchange ladder positions.

Longwarry hosts top team Garfield needing abig win to stay in fourth place as Newborough (4) travels to Moe (2) and Morwell (3) travel to Traralgon (4), both seeking to climb above Longwarry.  IN Division 5, Drouin (4)and Morwell (4) are comfortably in the top two after Drouin (4) defeated Neerim District (2) 40-34 and Morwell (4) lost to Warragul 30-38.

Traralgon RSL (3) remain third following their 31-40 loss to Churchill (2) and Trafalgar (3) defeated Yinnar (2) 46-32.

Neerim District (2) in fifth play Morwell (4) as they strive to pass Warragul (3) into fourth place who play Drouin (4).

DTL: BSkinner 41, RFelmingham, P Cummaudo,D Taylor 36. NTP: 4th GRenwick, 6th NRutledge,13th NLugton 16th RFelmingham. Birdies: 4th BSkinner,G Renwick, J Woodall, PWoodall, 6th NRutledge,16th G Shandley, RFelmingham Eagles: CPorto 17th

Saturday7th February Stroke

AGrade: PWoodall (8) 66 nett

BGrade: SEvison (21) 67 nett

DTL: NRutledge,S Mc Kenzie,68, SMills, 69, MHeiberg, NWhichello 70, NTP: 4th SMcInnes,6th GRenwick, 13th A Liebe, 16th PWoodall, Birdie: 4th NWhichello,6th GRenwick, 16th RRobbins, Lowest Putts: SMcInnes 24 putts

MOE

Wednesday, 14 January 2026 Twilight

Stableford

AGrade Winner: A. Babet (12) 20

BGrade Winner: D. Stewart(22) 23

Wednesday, 21 January 2026 Twilight

Stableford

AGrade Winner: A. Bassman (+1) 20 C/B

BGrade Winner: K. Borg(21) 19

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 Twilight Stableford

AGrade Winner: A. Moscato(7) 22

Saturday, 31 January 2026 2026 Opening Day3-4 Person Ambrose

ScratchWinners: A. Bassman, A. Pickard, D. Drowley& T. McDonald -62

Handicap Winners: D. Mifsud, A. Halcombe,J.Rowley& B. Breurton- 55.125

Handicap RunnersUp: C. Cunstan, N. Skicko,M.Fife, S. Williams &S.Humphrey -55.5

NTP: 4th -G.Jamieson, C. Borg, 8th -J Harber,14th -S.Stephens,A.Taylor DTL: C. Weir,D.Colling,D.Boad &B Harland 56.625, G. Jammo,S.Jammo,J Jammo &P.Brown 57,K.Borg, C, Boerg, R.Purcell &N.Nestor 58 C/B

Wednesday, 04 February 2026 WOMEN'S WEDNESDAY 9HOLEStableford

Overall Winner: Puddy,Kimberley(24) 21 Wednesday, 04 February 2026

Competition:WOMEN'SSTABLEFORD

Grade AWinner: Savige,Karyn (27) 41

Grade BWinner: O'Reilly, Christine (33) 40

Place Getters: Elliot, Christine 40 C/B, Bates,Linda 40, Wallis,Elizabeth 39 Great Score: Kaye Middlemiss (Birdie) @3 Nearest to Pin: 4th KarynSavige,8th Christine Elliot

Wednesday, 04 February 2026 Twilight Stableford

AGrade Winner: A. Bassman (+1) 21

BGrade Winner: R. Doolan A97(36) 19

Thursday, 05 February 2026 Competition: OPEN Mixed Stableford

Grade AWinner: Stansbury, Les (9) 37

Grade BWinner: Howard,Kev (11) 37

Grade CWinner: Middlemiss,Kaye(18)40

Grade DWinner: Savige,Bruce (22) 41

Place Getters: Hamilton, Alec 39 C/B Brien, Graeme 39 C/B,Smith,Donald 39, Dunstan, Craig 38, Scammell, Shaun 37 C/B,Brien, Kevin 37 C/B,Panozzo, Gavan 37,Backman, Bradley36 C/B,Fife, Mark36, Hayes, Albert 35 C/B,WOODALL, David 35 C/B,Keenan, Peter35 C/B,King,Rob 35 C/B,Johnson, Tony 35 C/B,Colvin, Anthony 35, Lalor,Garry34 C/B

Great Score: MarkFife(Eagle) @11, Donald Smith (Birdie) @8,Lockie White (Birdie) @14, Bruce Savige (Birdie) @ 8, Michael Walshe (Birdie) @14, Ethan WOODALL (Birdie) @4 Nearest to Pin: 4th Ethan WOODALL, 8th Donald Smith, 14th Michael Walshe Saturday, 07 February 2026 WOMEN'S SATURDAY OPEN Stableford

Grade AWinner: Middlemiss,Kaye(17)38

Place Getters: Wallis,Elizabeth 36

Great Score: KarenShaw(Birdie) @2, KathyBorg(Birdie) @9

Saturday, 07 February 2026 Competition: MEN'S Monthly Medal Stroke

Grade AWinner: Collings,Dale (8) 67

Grade BWinner: Skicko,Nick(12)67

Grade CWinner: Scullin, Sebastian (24) 68 C/B

Place Getters: Savige,Bruce 68, Condon, Jeff 69 C/B,Poole,Joel 69, Briggs,Brad70, Keenan, Peter 71 C/B,Purcell, Rodney71 C/B,Papettas, Maurice 71 C/B,Maxfield, Nathan 71 C/B,Veenman, Laurie 71 C/B, White, Rodney71, Duncan, Jack 72 C/B Jamieson, Justin 72 C/B

Gross Winner: Joel Poole 73

Great Score: Craig Rothwell (Birdie) @ 4, Laurie Veenman (Birdie) @8,Graham Geisler (Birdie) @4,DaveBoad (Birdie) @ 4, MarkJackson (Birdie) @8,Bruce Savige (Birdie) @8

Nearest to Pin: 4th Dave Boad, 8th Mark Jackson, 14th AnthonyGauci MysterySixesPrize Winner: Sebastian Scully

MORWELL

Wednesday4th February 2026 Women's StrokeMonthly Medal

Medal Winner: JGriffiths 66

Div 2: ELau 70

DTL: GClark71C Peter72

NTP: 2nd Apollutro8th JGriffiths 11th A Vuillermin 15th CPeter

Count Putts: DVuillermin 31

TRAFALGAR

Tuesday: 3/02/26 -Stableford

Players: 30, Women 6, Men 24

Winner: Lorna Risol (24)c/b

Runner Up: Tony Pitt(24)

DTL's: Nola Fordham (23) RodPollock(22) SteveGould (22) AnthonyCunningham (22) John Turpin (21)

NTP: Chris Payne &John Turpin (13th)

Lucky Card: Tony Shearer Thursday05/02/26 No Golf

YALLOURN

Thursday5-2-26 Ladies Opening Day18 Hole Stableford

Winners Div 1: (0-35) Sue Caldow39pt Div 2: (36-54) Maureen Bishop 40 pts

DTL: Amanda Ashton 38 pts Loretta Booth 35pts

NTP: 2nd Loretta Booth8th LynMcAlister 14th HeatherWare16th Lola Carter Birdie: Heather Ware on 16th

Tuesday3-2-26

BGrade: MTrent 494-68-562. DGrade:

Trent 234-108-342. Sat 31/1/26 workingbee no scores

Mr Kearns, he cricketbat good

CRICKET

CLV

BY LIAM DURKIN

GLENGARRYjumped into third on the Cricket Latrobe Valley Premier Aladder after the completion of Round 12.

The Magpies, looking like apossible finals miss only afortnight ago, catapulted afew rungs after defeating Centrals outright.

Centrals had already lost on first innings heading into Day 2atthe weekend, and were 1/32 on resumption.

The Lions redeemed its first innings of 42 with 162 second time round.

SkipperTye Houriganplayed well for 86, yet most others fell victim to Cam Graham, who took 5/31 on his home deck.

Glengarryneededonly 54 runstotake all 10 points, and got them in 11 second innings overs.

Graham completed asolid day's work with 27 not out off 31 balls.

The Magpie match reports may have been entertaining back at the sheds, after one batsman suffered aclassic meltdowninPremier Bupon being triggered by ateammate.

 GOOD players are always good.

Asublime century from BenKearns saw Churchill to victory over Moe.

Chasing 248, the Cobras survived alatescare to win by one wicket.

The home side was 9/244, yet Kearns batted through to finish unbeaten on 118.

While he hasn't played as much in recent seasons, his effortwas another class act from what could well be the best sporting family in Gippsland.

Fellow Churchill stalwart John Keighran also had abig say in the result, scoring abrisk 58 off 70 balls.

Keighran, who by his own admission is "getting too old for this", has well and truly earnt the right to now come in and bat at number seven.

Moe will be disappointed not to close, especially after having Churchill 5/53.

By all reports howeverthe Lions didn't bowl overly well, reflecting apossible poor start to the day with the bat.

Moe batted on into Day 2, but lasted only four overs.

Matt Hibbs was dismissed for 62, and the last three wickets fell for just three runs.

As tendstohappen,that can have adeflating effect on the team once it comes time to field.

Hibbs (4/47) andRoyce Colgrave(2/59) ended with multiple scalps.

Moe players still had agood story to bring back to the rooms, after its Premier Cwon athriller by two runs against Ex Students.

Speaking from experience, any Moe win against Traralgonismemorableregardless of whatgrade  MORWELL had 100 runs too many.

The Tigers left Catterick Crescent content with first innings points.

The visitorsshot Imperials out for just 109 in 37.4 overs.

Just 33 overs were completedonDay 2, yet

Morwell was happy to shake hands and have an early beer.

Imperials' innings fell apart once Ryan Morley was dismissed with the score on 50.

He made 39, while fellow Imps veteran Brett Chapman made 35 not out, watching wickets fall from the other end.

Tim Ford returnedinsane figuresof8/50 to single-handedly drive Morwell to victory.

His effort was the best-ever bowling for aMorwell player against Imperials (trick stat).

How lucky you can get at times.

Ford arrived at Morwell afew seasons ago simply as amate of Brendan Brincat's.

Morwell is nowtop of the table, and looking to have ahealthy squad to choose from at the right time of year.

Their depth is so strong that genuine AGraders Dylan Day, Lachlan Day and Joel Mason played BGrade at theweekend.

Mason has maderunsagainstExStudentsinthe ones this season,while Day tookaseven-fa against aGlengarry team that played in the Premier A grand final last season.

With this in mind, it is often pointless to debate how good the standard of aparticulargrade is, because youneverquite know who is going to front up.

 TOONGABBIE blocked out to avoid an outright.

The Rams started the day 1/31 chasing 310 against Ex Students, but were bowled out for just 99.

The Sharks enforced the follow-on, and saw the visitors get to 5/154 second time around.

By then the damage had already been done, thanks mainly to Jimmy Prydetaking crazy figures of 7/9.

His spin partner Lee Stockdale chipped in with 2/17.

Only Amal Athulathmudali and Rob Wheildon made contributions for Toongabbie.

Athulathmudali perhapsshowed where his desire was at, getting to 34 off just 20 rocks.

Wheildon meanwhiledisplayed what playing for the club means, seeing off 115 balls, and then 120 in the second dig.

Athulathmudali made it 100 runs for the day, smacking 83 off 75 balls.

Stockdale took 3/29 in the second innings.

 POOR Razor must be having aheart attack. Raiders lost reverse outright to Traralgon West, in what ended up being acompletereversal of form inside seven days.

Truthfully, the team from Yinnar did well to lose reverse.

The Eagles started the day at 4/43, still 13 runs shy of makingthe home sidebat againinAGrade. Ahalf-centurytoHayden Kimpton (adding 21 runs to his overnight score), and scores of 35 and 31 to Josh Monacella and Alfie Peck took Traralgon West to 161.

With half the day still to go, Raiders were set 105 to take all 10 points. Little more than 20 overs later however, they'd been shot out for 44.

Peckran riot with 5/19,while Connor Hughes took 4/20.

Perhaps most damming for Raiders -nine batsmen were either bowled or lbw.

The win was arguably Traralgon West's most memorable since doinga similar job on CATS earlier this decade.

The result could destabilise Raiders meanwhile, and further reinforce the messagethatKeenan Hughes can't do it all himself.

 WHAT atime to step up.

Josh Bellingham made aname for himself, after peeling off 67 batting at 10 for CATS against Mirboo North.

He partnered with Ben Hagley in a113-run partnership for the ninth wicket, rescuing CATS and completely demoralising the Tigers.

There is honestly nothing worse than anagging lower order partnership (still have nightmares of Roger Henry coming in at eight that time). CATS started Day2inall sortsat8/48 chasing 138 at John Black Oval.

Bellingham however showed incredible poise, to get through amid the most severe amountof pressure imaginable, knowing that one mistake could have led to defeat for his team.

Hagley was 31 not out overnight, and got to 55 after the match was won.

The Tigers batted again to try and manufacture something, but ended at 4/145 after 48 overs.

Ben Heathscored 63 not out and George Fairbairn 28 red.

ZachHollis (4/10)and FrankieIngram (2/61) were unable to add to their Day 1wicket tallies for Mirboo North.

 BORING cricket is agood tactic at this level.

Latrobe defeated Rovers by 36 runs at Duncan Cameron.

Defending 216, made after 80 overs on Day 1, the Sharks kept Rovers to 180 off the same amount.

Jacob Bloomfield (3/24), Rhys Noble (3/53) and Rob Webber (2/18) ensured the screws were tightened, as Rovers lost wickets at semi-regular intervals.

Rovers veteran Simon Duff kept the Sharks nervouswith 40 batting at number nine, yethis dismissal by Ed Hopper (2/12)sparked asigh of relief from the visitors.

The home side was 8/126, before a50run partnership kept the game alive.

James Hayter also scored 40 for Rovers.

 GORMANDALE wasanother team forced to block out.

The Tigers were destroyed on first innings, but put up agoodfight second timearound against Willow Grove.

Taking to Moe Racecourse Turf, the Wolves picked up from 3/104, and declared with 247onthe board.

Luke Payton made arun-a-ball 79, while Dylan van der Stoep struck at the same rate in his34 not out. Buddhima Dissanayake got one for the mantlepiece, taking 5/95. Yohan Soyza snared 2/70 off 29 economical overs.

Soyza then scored 85, batting for aperiod with Cal Polo, who went through the innings with 36 red.

CRICKETLATROBEVALLEY

runsonfirst innings CHURCHILLVMOE at AndrewsPark West MOE 1STINNINGS AAnubhavc ACeeney bC Williams 30 RPhoenix cACeeney bRHarvey. 11 APhilip bM Harvey. 64 BZomer runout

..............................1 BBlandford lbwRAyres ...0

BMcCartney cMHarveybunknown ......................................................0 Sundries (5b 4lb 0w 6nb) 15 TOTAL(94.2 overs). 247 CHURCHILL1ST INNINGS BOWLING

Life is beautiful at the WorldCup

CRICKET

By LIAM DURKIN

SOOSHI Mangowould have afield day with this.

Italy are on debut at the T20 cricket world cup. Theirfirst game was Monday (after the Express went to print).

Toongabbie allrounder Gayashan Munasinghe is aformer captain of the Italiannational side, while Ali Hasan, who played for Warragulonly two seasons ago, is currently in India as part of the squad. Munasinghepreviously qualifiedtoplay for Italy after holding residency for four years, following his family moving there from Sri Lanka when he was 16.

He joked that the only cricket story that made the news in Italy was sandpaper-gate.

“My home club is actually inside the middle of ahorse racing track and there would easily be more clubs in Gippsland than the wholeofItaly,” Munasinghe said in a2018 interview with the author. It is estimated around only five per cent of full-blooded Italians play cricket. So, for Italy to now be at aWorld Cup has them as everyone's second-favourite team.

Amazingly, Italycouldplay in more cricket world cups this year than soccer.

The path to cricket qualification has admittedlybeen helpedbyanumberof Aussies embracingtheir Italian heritage.

The Manenti brothers, Harry and Ben, bring Big Bash League experience to the side. Before them, Ex-Australian one day batsman Michael De Venuto extended his international career by playing for Italy. In typical Italian fashion however,there has already been adummy spit.

Joe Burns, who scored four Test tons for Australia, was set to captain Italy at the World Cup, presumablyunderthe name Giuseppe.

Much like his Simpsons namesake though, he disagreed with how things were being done.

"Burnsy didn't quitesee eye to eye with a few people in the federation, and the way he went about telling them that was pretty direct and honest," Ben Manenti told The Grade Cricketer podcast.

"Italiansare quitestubborn (and) the stubborn Italians in Italy didn't likethat, and the stubborn Italian in Queensland (Burn's home state) didn't like that either, so they butted heads for afair while back and forth."

Sounds like asiesta is needed for everyone to cool their jets.

Quick singles with Liam Durkin

Anydanger boys

ONE of the more astonishing individual efforts you'll see.

NickDuncan peeled off 175 off108 ballsfor Churchill -inalosing side at the weekend.

The Cobras were 4/18inthe Premier Bclash against CATS.

Batting at six, Duncan hit 25 fours and five sixes into the bushland up at Callignee.

Thatthe teamtotal of 283 waschased in less than 40 overs may require arethink of future fixtures.

Granted venues aren't always available, to play Premier Bgames at Wes Pump Ovalwill probably seemore farcical scores posted.

Alot of players at thatlevel are ex-AGraders, who have no trouble clearing the barely 50 metre boundaries.

It has been arunning gag across the league that CATS batsmen always have good aggregates because they playatWes Pump every second week.

Recordstands

SPEAKING of high scores, correspondence came through last week with an answer to the highest individual score made at Willow Grove Rec.

Unfortunately for Traralgon West's Phil Gibson, his149 afortnight ago did not top the list.

Saturday, February7

Premier B(Round17): CATS 2/284(RHare91*, DWilson 67,C Wilkerson 66*, MAnthofer 35) def Churchill 9/283 (N Duncan 175, SDunn 34, RJohnson 28, MAnthofer 3/48, J Guy 3/53, JMotta 2/6) ,Thorpdale 6/158 (K O'Connell 44*, J Durkin 27,A Canny2/28) defExStudents 138(GMazengarb 38, DChurchill 27,B Dyke 4/19, KO'Connell 2/15, HFerguson 2/34), Glengarry9/175 (C Dunn 36, SHenry29, JCochrane 29, Ash Savige 4/25) def Moe 173(Ash Savige 41, JPorter 4/19, JCochrane 2/14), Morwell 4/82 (D Day31*, JPason 26, DDoble 2/26) def Centrals 79 (A Hurley26, SGniel 4/16, DDay 2/8, LDay 2/24), Toongabbie 7/188 (H Broad 56, GMcIlroy 54, BMcCormack2/10, CStanton 2/19) def Jeeralang-Boolarra8/187 (T Dowe 41, TBeamish 29*, B Mason 28, LSmith 25, JVeneman 4/45, KStoddart2/20). BGrade (Round 17): Mirboo North 8/200 (C Schellekens 74, MWoodall 62, DGanegodage 2/9, GSwan2/22, JArmstrong 2/35) def Gormandale 74 (G Walker 2/4), Imperials 7/219 (A Johnstone 61, RWilliams 46, BSizeland 43, OGrant 2/32, IBrown 2/37) def Rovers 9/138 (B Monks-Hamilton 37,K Scott30, LSykes 3/33, BWells 2/8), Raiders9/185 (J Berryman-Lambert72, RSidhu 37,P Grima3/20, MFailla 2/40) def WillowGrove 8/184 (T Norton47, AJames 30, J Berryman-Lambert3/20, PMills 3/26), Traralgon West 5/191 (B Howe 74,R Wilkie 38, BGriffiths 33) def Latrobe 9/169 (S Hanning 45, HBright3/17, LPhillips 2/35). Premier C(Round13): Toongabbie 3/95 (D Elms 30*, E Forbes 2/10) def Churchill 90 (J Pearson 3/22, ADomaille 2/20, DVeale 2/22, BBriscoe 2/22), Imperials 154(M Higgingbottom54*, MTwomey48, BRichards 3/24, M Metcalfe2/23, LWatson 2/27,J Cargill2/38) def Rawson 152 (B Richards 38, LWatson 27,J Jones 3/10, PDunstan 3/22), Mirboo North 1/80 (G Vanderzalm 42*) def Centrals 79 (L Vanderzalm 5/19, JSpeed 2/5), Moe 149(CVeenman 34, S Murphy25, NMillington 3/31, MBentley2/38) defExStudents 147(MBentley 37,T Kosterman 30, CVeenman 3/40, C Boswell 2/14, HBoothman 2/27), Morwell 8/189 (T Key35, M

ROVERSV LATROBE at Duncan Cameron LATROBE

Geoff Atkinson scored north of 150 in the early 2000s against Club XI. It was reportedly only off around 50 balls as well.

Walking

the walk

AT least one journalist can make runs.

Latrobe's Nic Brewer whacked an unbeaten 91 off 86 balls at the weekend.

He was denied acentury by virtue of the fact he hit the winning runs on the Maryvale astro.

Brewer kept Express readers informed as thelocal cricket correspondent last decade,atthe same time this writer wasusuallyscrutinisinghis everyword.

How the wheel has turned.

True 'premier' comp

SLOW moving two day games generally allow plenty of time to discuss the world’s problems.

The scorers table can often becomelike a boardroom.

Talking to aprominent sports administrator at the weekend, an interestingpoint was raised around cricket goingdown the same pathasthe Gippsland League (football).

Coulditreach astage where the biggest towns/ clubs fromright across Gippsland compete in the samecompetition?

LOWER GRADE SCORES

Smith 33*, SEsler 30, CMonds 25, JRouse 3/38, TMillerMowat2/39) def Glengarry9/169 (G Mowat29, TMiller-Mowat 26, JRouse 25*, SEsler 2/24, BRoberts 2/35). CGrade (Round 13): Traralgon West 7/211(BMcQuillen 83, PGibson 29, CBeaver3/27,B Wilson 2/36) def CATS 9/185 (R Hendrix 70, SWebley26, HPhillips 2/0, MEdebohls 2/31), Gormandale 8/250 (N Nikodemski 77,B Peavey 66*, I Lawrence 2/31, MBoothey2/53) defImperials 87 (J Ainsworth 2/22), Latrobe 2/192 (N Brewer 91*, DMcdougall 83*) def WillowGrove 8/188 (L Donoghue 72, TCotter27, ABremner 3/17, SWernham 2/25), Rovers 3/283 (G Greenway149*, D Brain 62, JLewis 40*) def Raiders92(CHill29, BBeecher 25, JLewis 3/26, DRichards 2/12), Jeeralang-Boolarra-bye

Thursday, February5

Women's Championship (Round 14): Centrals 1/135 (K Doble 32*, CRawson 30*) def Rovers 4/67,Traralgon West 1/90 (L Ronalds 31*) def Toongabbie 4/78 (A Robinson 31*, MClark 2/10), Morwell 0/68 (B Clymo 32*) def Churchill 3/65, Raiders0/95(MQuinn 33*, LVan Berkel30*) def Willow Grove3/87 (N Savige 32*, JWitney2/32) Women's Premier (Round 14): Raiders4/72 (M Winter 30*) def Ex Students 7/41 (M Winter 4/9), Churchill 3/84 (S Forbes 30*, EShaw30*, THalkett2/12) def Centrals 5/63 (B Kimpton 30*, EShaw2/11, Dvan Vliet 2/24), WillowGrove 1/62 (M Donoghue 31*) def Imperials 4/61 (T Anderson 2/7), Latrobe -bye

JUNIORS

Friday, January30& Friday, February6

Under 16 (Round 10): Toongabbie 4/189 (M Mayman 55*, CYoung 44, TDonoghue 42, SFernando 34) def Ex Students 7/177 (J Hodson 50*, TChurchill 41*, FGraham

Playerswho areseriousenough will play regardless, so why not have the best teams playing each other?

Ex Students versus WesternPark for examplewouldbeavery high standard game.

Star rising

ONE to keep an eye on perhaps.

Traralgon West youngster Patrick McQuillen is keeping himself busy, playing under 12s, 14s and then seniors on weekends.

What's more, he isn't just making up the numbers on aSaturday either.

No one could get him out at the weekend, as he retired after scoring ahandy 23.

Lefties do it better

SECOND ball globe one week, 160 the next.

How good's cricket.

Two-time CLV leaguemedallist Rhys Holdsworth addedanother record to his CV at the weekend, after featuring in a249 partnership for Trafalgar.

The left hander combined with Alex McKenna, as the pairbothscored centuriesfor the Ships against Iona in Warragul District.

Their stand broke the club fourth wicket partnership record of 203.

30, MMayman 2/25), WillowGrove 106(LDart28, SDarby 4/13, BBremner 2/7) drew (that can't be right?)Raiders74 (F Mahoney41, LDart3/3, NSallee 3/26, JGrima 2/13, L Walsh 2/19), Rovers/Gormandale 3/288 (K Senthilkumar 51*, SBreddels 50*, FHaig50*, BFulham 49, RFarley33) def Morwell/Latrobe 132(HSmith 54, FHaig 3/17, KSenthilkumar 2/6, PPantha 2/21), Centrals 8/219(NGamage 53*, AHurley 51*, CMoncrieff29, KMicallef 2/39) def Moe 6/178 (N Keltie 53*, HBoothman 50*, KMicallef 39, CMoncrieff3/26), Mirboo North/Jeeralang-Boolarra- bye.

Friday, February6

Under 14 girls(Round9): WillowGrove 4/66 (G Cukier 3/8) def Morwell 4/54, Ex Students 2/65 (C Stockdale 2/13) def Raiders2/64, Traralgon West -bye

Wednesday, February4

Under 14 (Round 11,T20s): Imperials/CATS5/143 (D George 3/5, AJago 2/10) def Morwell 7/74(CSizeland 2/2, MRiseley 2/5, JAitken 2/6), WillowGrove 2/115 (J Rankin 2/8) def Centrals 99 (M Boothman 2/6, SBrain 2/13), Ex Students Gummy1/117 def Moe 8/72 (L Mackay3/4,R Matthews 2/5), Jeeralang-Boolarra6/140 (D Joseph 2/12) def Traralgon West 3/110,Raiders/Latrobe 2/140 def Churchill 4/80 (H Brighton 36*, LThomson 2/3), Ex Students Tiger -bye

Monday, February2

Under 12 (Round 9): Ex Students Hammerheads 4/103 (A Shine 32*) def Centrals 57,Ex Students Great Whites 2/67 def Imperials 3/47,CATS1/142 (H Riseley 33*) def Morwell 6/017 (V Wilhelm 2/15, HWilhelm 2/24), Moe 4/76def Mirboo North 4/33 (P Shellcot 2/3), Traralgon West 4/147 (M Edebohls 41*, PMcQuillen 32*, HRawson 30*, MCochrane 2/2) def Willow Grove24(MEdebohls 2/1, EMcQuillen 2/3), Raiders-bye

CRICKETLATROBEVALLEY

CPeaveycAForth bNSallee 3 BFulham bN Sallee 0 SGaniga bNSallee 12 RFarley cLPaytonbD Walsh 2

BDissanayake bD van derStoep 1

CWhiterun out (L Payton,H Phoenix) 3 Sundries (3b 2lb 0w 1nb) 6 TOTAL(42.3 overs) 64 WILLOW GROVE 1STINNINGS BOWLING

NSallee6-2-11-3, NWheildon2.3-1-3-0, LPayton4-0-12-0, BEdebohls 11-7-6-1, Dvan der Stoep 8-6-8-3, LWalsh 5-1-11-1, DWalsh 6-1-8-1 WILLOW GROVE 1STINNINGS

BEdebohlsc unknown bY Soyza. 70 NSalleec CWhite bY Soyza. 4 NWheildon bSGaniga 7

LPaytoncCBettsworth bB Dissanayake 79 AForth cCPeaveybB Dissanayake. 11

HPhoenix cCBettsworthb BDissanayake 3

AWilkescunknown bBDissanayake 9 DWalsh cCBettsworthb BDissanayake 5 Dvan der Stoep not out 34 LWalsh not out......................................................................................................... 15 Sundries (6b 1lb 3w 0nb) 10 TOTAL 8(71 overs) 8dec 247

GORMANDALE 1STINNINGS BOWLING

YSoyza29-12-70-2, SGaniga 7-1-27-1, CWhite2-0-13-0, BDissanayake

23-4-95-5, RFarley 3-1-14-0, CPolo7-1-21-0

GORMANDALE 2NDINNINGS

CPolonot out 36

DNortoncN Wheildon bD vander Stoep 0

CBettsworth cNSallee bBEdebohls 0

NSoyza cHPhoenix bD Walsh 1

YSoyzac HPhoenix bN Wheildon 85

CPeaveynot out. 11 Sundries (3b 0lb1w0nb) 4 TOTAL (50 overs) ..................................................................................................4/137

WILLOW GROVE2ND INNINGS BOWLING

NSallee3-0-20-0, NWheildon 11-5-27-1, LPayton6-3-7-0, BEdebohls

7-3-7-1, Dvan derStoep 7-3-12-1, AWilkes3-1-9-0, LWalsh 4-1-11-0,R

Fiddelaers 2-0-15-0, DWalsh 7-1-26-1 WillowGrovewon by 10 wickets onfirstinnings CATSVMIRBOO NORTH at John Black Oval MIRBOO NORTH 1STINNINGS

FIngramc unknownb TPanyangara 23

LChila bT Panyangara 14

ZHolliscunknown bDFawcett...

TBasarke bT Panyangara. 5 DBanks not out 0 Sundries (3b 0lb 2w 0nb) 5 TOTAL(53 overs). 138 CATS 1STINNINGS BOWLING

TPanyangara 11-5-22-4, DFawcett 10-1-33-1, JCochrane 3-0-6-2, J Moore3-0-21-0, AFawcett 12-4-18-2, JBellingham 14-4-35-1 CATS 1STINNINGS

JCochrane run out (C Anders,F Ingram) 8

LPasscLChila bFIngram 0

NHarrup bG Fairbairn. 6

BHagley bLChila 55

EPorigneaux lbwF Ingram. 1 DFawcett cBHeath bZHollis 9 TPanyangara cCAnders bZHollis 0 AFawcett lbwZ Hollis 0

JMoorecN Thillekarathna bZHollis. 0 JBellingham bDBanks 67

EPass not out 0

Sundries (6b 1lb 1w 7nb) 15

TOTAL(56.1 overs) 161 MIRBOO NORTH 1STINNINGS BOWLING

LChila 2-0-10-1, ZHollis 6-4-10-4, DBanks 7.1-2-18-1, GFairbairn 14-628-1, BHeath 3-0-15-0, DMathews5-1-12-0, FIngram19-3-61-2 MIRBOO NORTH 2NDINNINGS

LChila cEPorigneaux bT Panyangara. 12

FIngramlbw JCochrane 24

ZHollisb TPanyangara 4

BHeath notout 63

NThillekarathna lbwDFawcett 8 GFairbairn not out 28

Sundries (4b 1lb 0w 1nb) 6

TOTAL(48 overs) ..................................................................................................4/145 CATS 2NDINNINGS BOWLING

TPanyangara 13-3-37-2, EPass 2-0-9-0,DFawcett 14-5-31-1, JCochrane 9-1-32-1, LPass 1-0-4-0, JMoore3-0-12-0, JBellingham 6-0-15-0

Dazzling life for Ken now with OAM

WRESTLING

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

FROM the age of six, all Ken Dunlop wanted to be was awrestler.

Seeing his dreams become areality under the stage name Ken 'Dazzler' Dunlop, the kid from Moe can now add an OAM to his title for his service to professional wrestling.

"I wasn't actually expectingitatall, and Ireceived an email last September to say (that) Iwas nominated and Iactually thought it was ascam," he told the Express

"Apparently, I'd been nominated two or three times over the last couple of years and Ididn't even know."

The lifelong Australian wrestling figure, who was one of the first openly gay men in the industry, had to keep it asecret from his family for weeks after beingtoldofhis honour. He will be presented his Order of Australia (OAM) in April alongside other New South Wales recipients.

Jumping from Moe to Melbourne to Sydney over the course of his life, one constant has always been Dunlop's love for wrestling.

WorldChampionshipWrestling* was afixation formanykids in the 1960s and 1970s, and Dunlop recalls trotting down to Yallourn's Kernot Hall (since moved to Morwell) for shows up to six times ayear.

"We used to go as kids and we loved it, we were absolutely wrestling mad," he said.

"Every Sunday, we'd sit around with our roast dinner watching wrestling on the TV. So, from the age of six or seven, if anyone asked me what Iwanted to be when Igrew up, I'd say awrestler."

Dunlop was also amember of the school choir and performed in plays at Moe High School, while also playing for the Moe Colts Junior Football Club.

In 1973, he moved to Melbourne, and was introduced to aworld he so desperately sought out.

"I started to go to Festival Hall every Saturday night, which was mind-blowing," Dunlop said.

Befriending wrestlers John Schneiderand Sam Rossi, the two proposedthat Dunlop learn the ropes, and he began training at 16-years-old.

He trained out of the wrestling school MB's Gym in North Melbourne,aswell as at international wrestler Mario Milano's gym(featuring Greek heavyweightstarGeorge Gouliovas), duetoDunlop seeking to expand his wrestling repertoire.

Before he knew it, he was making his debutAugust 17, 1978 at the Watsonia RSL, Melbourne.

"I was petrifiedonthe day. I'd been learning with another guy called Rob Magri, and so we were both having our first match together," Dunlop recalled.

"It was only like 10 or 12 minutes, and we were both just so nervous, so focussed.

"When you walk out to the audience, there's probably two or threethousand peoplethere and just the noise you try not to concentrate too hard on them because you're really concentrating on what you want to do.

"But, it wentsmoothly and we were overthe moon,

everyone congratulatedmeafterwards and just went from there."

Dunlop evenwrestled at ashow in Pentridge Jail, being partnered with aman imprisoned for double murder.

Aftera few years, as World Championship Wrestling came to an end in 1978, Dunlop moved to Sydney and began taking on an even greater work load.

He went from 20 to 40 shows ayear in Melbourne to all of asudden getting 10 to 20 shows per month in Sydney.

Dunlopbroadenedhis horizons by taking on promotion duties in 1991 alongsidewrestling partner Wayne 'Lofty' Pigford and promoter Bob Blassie.

"When we started off in '91, Ipretty much sacked all of the oldies straightaway. we (were) going to concentrate on just young guys, all new talent," Dunlop said.

Bringing up thenext generation,Dunlopwould then step away from wrestling entirely in 1998 after alife-altering heart attack, but returned for ahandfulofmatchesin2000alongsidehis younger brother Alan (known as Red Hot Ricky Diamond).

Afteralong period of time out of thewrestling scene, Dunlophas returned in recent times with frequent seminar appearancesand supporting arange of promotions across Sydney and in Queensland. Dunlop's book Dazzler Dunlop: Inside My Squared Circle was released in 2021, is available locally.

*World Championship Wrestling brought many internationalwrestlers to Australia, includingBruno Sammartino, Dusty Rhodes, WaldoVon Erich (brother of Fritz, patriarch of the Von Erich family, who are depicted in the 2023 film The Iron Claw),and the biggest of all (literally), Andre The Giant

Gaskin Park temporaryhome for Moe

FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

BY LIAM DURKIN

MOE Football-Netball Club willplay its first two home games at Gaskin Park (pictured) this Gippsland League season.

The Lions are off Ted Summerton Reserve while the facility is being upgraded as part of Commonwealth Games Legacy projects. It is hoped the new Ted Summerton will be ready by the end of May.

All going well,thatmeansMoe willplay Bairnsdale at Ted Summerton in Round 7.

The sight of sprinklers watering dirt at Ted Summerton caused afew raised eyebrowslast Thursday, although this is done to assist sand bedding in and testing filtration rates to ensure proper drainage.

The Lions have two home games at Churchill against Maffra (Round 2) and Wonthaggi (Round 4).

Moe won't have to travel much in the first third of the season, playing last year's runner-up Traralgon under lights in Round 3and fellow finalist Morwell at Tigerland in Round 6.

The Lions also get to play Drouin at the Hawks' newly refurbished ground in Round 5, but will have to watch Leongatha unfurl its premiership

flaginRound 1. TheParrots, as is their right, chose to play funny buggers by requesting to host Moe first up, eventhoughRound1isusually reserved for the grand final rematch.

The warofwords between Leongathaand Moe surrounding league supremacy last season undoubtedly playedahand in Leongatha's decision.

Lion's coach Leigh Poholke has said he would do exactly the same if he was in their position.

Gaskin Park won't be entirely foreign to Moe.

Lions senior assistant coach Chris Kyriacou played in apremiership for Churchill in 2019,as didfather-and-son duo Brendan and Kurt Holt, who joined Moe last season.

Brendan is Churchill FNC royalty, having won asenior best-and-fairest well into his 40s.

Moe actually played agame for premiership points at Gaskin Park adecade ago.

What's old is new, as that schedule came about due to ground works at Ted Summerton.

Some familiarnames were running aroundfor Moeand Traralgon in that Round 2, 2016 game.

AyoungScott van Dyk played as atop-age thirds player, and is now senior captain of the Lions.

His predecessors Ben Morrow and Jacob Wood werealsointhe team,along with fellow 200 gamers Clinton Taylor and Tom Long.

On the Traralgon side was now Maroonscoach

Dylan Loprese, along with current assistant JacksonMcMahonand former skipper Matt Northe.

MichaelJacobsen,who hasreturned to Traralgon from TTU this season, also played. Traralgon was coming off apremiership, and added to its stocksbyrecruiting Jason Winderlich ayear out of the AFL.

The Thorpdale local went back to where it all started in recent years, coaching his home club.

Some modern-day greats of theGippsland League also featured on both sides.

Moe was coached by James Blaser in just his second gameincharge,while Traralgonhad Mark Collison and Danny Campbell.

PeterAinsworth, whostill plays seniorfootball for Newborough in the Mid Gippsland FootballNetballLeague, played one of his 364 senior games for the Lions that day.

He fell just 10 games short of the Gippsland League senior games record when he left Moe to coach Newborough in 2020.

Traralgon won ahigh-scoring match by 64 points, 23.10 (148) to 13.6 (84).

The Maroons had 11 goalkickers, led by Tim Johnston with five.

In asignofjust how much things have changed, both teams only used 25 player points.

Winderlich wasthe only player worth more than one point on the Traralgon side.

Some handynames were runningaround for Traralgon in the early game, with the Maroons reserves featuring Lee Stockdale, Nick Quenault, Jarrod Zuehlke and future senior premiership player Mitch Membrey, who was second beston. Those still playing from the Moe twos team that day are John Chessells, Luke Mackay and Liam Durkin, who nursed home three of Moe's seven goals.

AnthonyGould wasbest-on-ground for the Lions at lunchtime. Gould reappeared recently afterhittingahole in one on Trafalgar Golf Club's fifth hole.

 THE SENIOR TEAMS WERE: Moe: James Blaser,Tyson Biffin, Jacob Wood, Darnell Grech, BryceCollings,Jayden vanDyk, Charlie Rieniets,Daniel Risol, MarkEngley, Karl Mutke, PeterAinsworth, Ben Morrow,Tyler Morrow,RyanFarmer,Joel Bragagnolo,Thomas Long,Scottvan Dyk, Dylan Bentley, Michael Parker and Clinton Taylor

Traralgon: DannyCampbell, TimNorthe,Michael Jacobsen, Jackson Hall, TimJohnston, Mark Collison, Jason Winderlich, MattNorthe, Jackson McMahon, Ben Amberg, Brayden Duve,Rohan Hilderbrand, Jacob Vucenovic,AdrianSlottje, HaydnHector,MattLewellin, Dylan Loprese Jake Bishop,TroyForrest, Brad Caldwell and Dr Jordan Bourke

Lifetime of service recognised

CRICKET

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

STALWART of the Gormandale Cricket Club and Traralgonand District Cricket Association, Gavin Foenanderwas recognised forhis contributions to the game with an Order of Australiamedal (OAM).

The lifelong cricketvolunteer played northof 400 games during the course of his career and served on bothclub and league committees for close to four decades.

Foenander was "extremely proud and honoured" by the recognition.

"I actually couldn't believe it, Iwas pretty surprised," he told the Express

"I think for cricket and local cricket, for someone to get recognised is fantastic. Iloved playing, I loved being able to help the game Ialways felt that if you had awell-run comp, your clubs would benefit, and Ifelt we all can."

At seven-years-of-age, Foenander played for Centrals throughout most of his juniors with his whole family established there. His father and former Traralgon Journal and Latrobe Valley Express cricket writer, Roy Foenander served as secretary of the TDCA for many years.

The junior Foenanderrecalls whenWorld Series Cricket arrived in the Latrobe Valley in December 1978 when Australiaand the Cavaliersclashedin Traralgon and Morwell.

"As a12, 13-year-old, that was just massive," he said.

"It packed the (Traralgon)showgrounds out. Kerry Packer put aturf wicket in and Ijust remember dad helping put that in."

This gave Foenander the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of meetinghis cricketingheroes, such as Greg Chappell,SarfrazNawaz, Ray Brightand Wayne Daniels.

After spending two years at Traralgon Rovers, making his AGrade debut, Foenander arrived at Gormandale in 1982 and never looked back.

He has served virtually every role at the club over his time, including vice president, juniorcoach, curator for 36 years, and most importantly, club president from 1994 to 2021.

Foenander received Gormandale life membership

Honoured: Gormandale CricketClubstalwar t Gavin Foenander wasa recent recipientofan OAMfor his services to cricket. Photograph supplied

in 1996 and has been named best clubman on five occasions.

As aplayer, he was initially 12th man for Gormandale's first-ever AGrade premiership in 1982/83 -his first year at the club.

On that day, Gormandale set arecord grand final total against TraralgonImperials, putting on 496 and winning the flag on the fourth day.

Foenander played in three AGrade grand finals before gettingover the hump in 1992/93, and then later captaining an additional grand final side in 1997/98.

Instrumental in seeing Gormandale establish a turf wicket in the early1990s, by the time he took over as president, Foenander led the club during the biggest decision in its history.

The cricket club moved out of town from Gormandale Recreation Reserve and formed a new home at Stoddart Oval in Traralgon.

"Around 2004, we were looking overthe numbers and there was only one player who was actually living in Gormandale," Foenander said.

"The school wasvery, very small,and we just thought (that in the) juniors there was no future

our wicket bench was in desperate need of a full renovation.

"No one objected to it. Everyone was abit disappointed about it, but therewas no official objection, and the biggest part of it was that we got to keep our name.

"It was probablythe biggest and best decision ever because we went through an absolute purple patch once we shifted to Traralgonofsustained success and attracting some of the best players (in) country Victoria that the league had seen."

In 2004/05, Gormandale broke a13-year AGrade premiership droughtduringits last season in town, before seeing afurther five AGrade flags captured finishing in 2013/14.

That included athree-peat of AGrade premierships from 2007 to 2009.

Foenander played his 400th and final game at the age of 54 and did so in AGrade competition.

In 1989, he alsojoined the TDCA committee, going along all the way until the league merged with the Central Gippsland Cricket Association to become Cricket Latrobe Valley.

Foenander points to seeing his father undertake those responsibilities at ayoung age as to why he felt compelled to follow in his footsteps.

"Certainlythe influence of dad doing that sort of league community work was amassive reason why (I took up administrative roles)," he said.

Servingasvice presidentofthe TDCA for five seasons, Foenander has played the role of secretary (2010-2018), publicity officer (2010-2016), and undertook umpiring duties for three seasons.

He was awardedleague life membership in 2011 and served additional roles at Gippsland Cricket as aboard member for seven years, match coordinator, umpire and vice president.

Foenanderstill plays his part behind the scenes at Gormandale, and acknowledgedthe "greatride" he's had in cricket.

"From aclub-level, there's too many people to mention -the friends and the great hard workers -but Ithink that my time at Gormy I'll cherish (those) times and the friends I've made," he said.

Leongatha and District Cricket Association legendGary Adams was also a2026 OAM recipient for his 50 years of service.

He also taught Foenander at Liddiard Road Primary School.

Gordon helped grow the game for women

CRICKET

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

APIONEER of women’s cricket grew up in Moe.

Former Australian Test captain AnneGordon was recognised during the Australia Day honourswithanOrder of Australia(OAM) for her contributions to the game as aplayer, coach, and administrator.

Gordon is viewed as one of the most influential female cricketers in the country’s history, who most famously captained Australia when the first women’s Ashes match was played at Lord’s.

The left-arm medium pacer played nineTest matches and eight ODIs for Australia.

From humble beginnings living in the Latrobe Valley, due to limited to no female cricket in the area,Gordon frequently travelledtoMelbourne on weekends to play.

However, whileshe was in Moe,she recalled her beginnings with the game to the Wyndham Star Weekly

“In the 1950s, Moe was apretty young town and the boysused to play cricket, usingthe frontgates as the wickets,” Gordon said.

“They used to hit the ballover the fence to a

woman who had avery lovely garden -and now thatIamolderI can see why she used to confiscate it. Once Iwenttogoget it and they let us have the ball back, so the boys allowed us to play so we could get it.”

Her talents were on display early, and she quickly rose up the ranks, initially playing for Victoria as an 18-year-old and then being picked for Australia in the first Test against England in 1968/69.

By the second match, Gordon immediately shot her wayinto the historybooks,becoming the second woman ever to take 10 wickets in amatch,which included two five-wicket hauls.

Gordon wouldn’t play for Australia again until 1976 -arenowned year, which involved historic tours of England and the West Indies.

Best yet, she was captain when Australia and England first played awomen’s international match on the famous oval at Lord’s.

Followingher playing career, Gordonbecame aselector for theVictorianWomen’sCricket Association,and then Chairwoman of England Selectors from 1992 to 1996.

She was awarded life membership at Cricket Victoria in 2018.

Gamechanger: Former Australian women’s captain, Anne Gordon wasrecentlyawarded an OAM. She grew up in Moe Photograph supplied

Local Good Friday Appeal planning 24-hour

FUNRUN

MOE Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal will hold its major fundraiser in the formofa 24 hourfun run/walk at the Joe Carmody Athletics Track on Saturday, March 21.

Running commences at 9am on the Saturday.

Teams of five participants will be asked to get supporters to sponsor them to raise money forthe RCH Good Friday Appeal. Participants can either run or walk the course. For details and more information, phone Dannielle on 0422 121 273 or email: pd45@ bigpond.com or checkout the Moe RCH Good Friday Appeal Facebook page.

Moe RCH Good Friday Appeal would also be very grateful for anyone who is willing to help door knock for the appeal either on Good Friday (April 3) or the week leading up to Good Friday. If anyone has time to help, phone Sue on 0407 677 230 or email: suebechaz@hotmail. com The local group wil la ls ob es elling Easter raffle tickets for Easter baskets at Woolworths, Coles and KMart in Moe from March 20 to March 31, 2026.