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Agius sentenced
By LIAM DURKIN
HOMICIDE Squad detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding an incident in Traralgon, after a man became unresponsive following his arrest early Sunday morning. Officers were called to a Moore Street address to reports of a man behaving erratically about 12.50am. Police attended and arrested a man out the front of his residence. He became non-responsive shortly after being taken into custody. Despite the best efforts of emergency services to revive
the man, he died at the scene. The exact circumstances surrounding the man’s death are yet to be determined. Detectives from the Homicide Squad will investigate the incident with oversight from Professional Standards Command, as per standard practice where someone dies after being taken into police custody. Anyone with further information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au Photograph: Liam Durkin
IRREPLACABLE HEALTH ASSEMBLY By AIDAN KNIGHT
THE Latrobe Health Assembly is still picking up the pieces following the bombshell funding decision from the state government. The Assembly will permanently close at the end of November, after the state government refused to reverse its funding cut announced in the wake of this year's state budget. As the Assembly winds down after almost a decade, the future is uncertain for the Latrobe Valley's prospects of better health outcomes. Partnerships built are also at risk of deteriorating, with the funding of other programs in the region cut as well. Assembly Chairperson, Tanya Rong told the Express she was deeply disappointed by the government's decision to not reconsider the cut, and also how sudden the initial slashing was. Ms Rong said there was also no discussion for a roadmap to continue the existing programs the
Assembly has developed for the betterment of the community. “The closure of the Latrobe Health Assembly marks the loss of a unique community-driven model that prioritised prevention and early intervention," Ms Rong said. "Without investment in preventative health, the community is more vulnerable to avoidable health challenges. The long-term cost of inaction will be far greater than the cost of prevention in both dollars and lives. “We are not just losing an organisation, we are losing a community of people who are united and dedicated to reducing health disparities in this region. There is nothing that replaces the role of the Assembly in Latrobe Valley.” The Assembly has played a crucial part in more than 200 programs and initiatives over its eightyear lifespan in the wake of the Hazelwood mine fire. The Assembly has turned its online presence
post-closure to “shining a light on the community projects that were and ones that could have been” before the defunding. There is hope that some of these programs will be absorbed and adopted by other organisations, as much of the groundwork has been done thanks to the commitment of the Assembly. Despite passionate community advocacy, the campaign to save the LHA failed to sway the state government. A protest outside Parliament last month drew only a handful of people, though local Nationals MPs, Martin Cameron and Melina Bath both attended. More than 1200 volunteers gave their time to the LHA alongside paid staff, making it one of the most locally involved health bodies of its kind in the state. The Latrobe Health Assembly was formed in June 2017, and will cease to exist by November 30 this year.
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TRARALGON man, Peter Agius will spend at least the next six years behind bars. Mr Agius was last week sentenced to nine years and eight months jail in Melbourne’s county court over the fatal crash that killed Glengarry’s Adam Sutton in 2023. The 23-year-old was found guilty by a jury of culpable driving in March this year. Mr Sutton, a young father of two, collected six-year-old son Darcy from his first day of school when Agius’ vehicle, travelling at around 95 kilometres an hour, ploughed into their car as it attempted to make a right hand turn at the Traralgon-Maffra and Farmers road intersection between Traralgon and Glengarry. The 36-year-old livestock agent died at the scene. Darcy was flown to the Royal Children’s hospital with critical injuries. He was in hospital for six weeks and will suffer permanent consequences as a result of a brain injury. The court heard Agius was using social media app Snapchat just seconds before the crash. Agius had prior convictions for driving offences, and had been warned repeatedly by his employer about using his phone while operating machinery. Judge Kevin Doyle mentioned this in his sentencing remarks. “The evidence was that on several occasions at work you were observed using your phone whilst operating machinery, including the excavator, and warned not to do so,” His Honour said. “I excluded that evidence but, in my opinion, it has relevance to the assessment of your moral culpability in that you had been warned not to use your phone whilst operating machinery, including on the day of the collision and on other occasions. “You ignored those warnings and then drove from the worksite either receiving or sending a message approximately once every 10 seconds between the worksite and the collision.” Victim impact statements were also read out during the trial, including from Mr Sutton's mother, who described the loss as “incomprehensible and senseless”. Leanne Sutton said her son was “strong willed, loving, funny, adventurous, determined and loyal, with a big heart and a wicked sense of humour”. The grieving family filled the court for last Thursday’s sentencing (July 17). Mr Sutton's funeral was attended by an estimated 1000 people, with almost 2000 watching online. Agius will be eligible for parole in six years. “In my opinion, you have reasonable prospects of rehabilitation,” His Honour said. Agius has already served more than 100 days.