Ken Bodinnar, a 73-year-old former State Emergency Service worker from Paynesville, is fighting to have his workers' compensation claim recognised. His doctors believe his small-cell lung cancer resulted from years of service, including the Black Saturday fires. The insurer rejected the claim, and a medical report later found his exposure to firefighting smoke and diesel fumes was a significant contributing factor. The dispute will go to trial in November. Mr Bodinnar is in intensive care in Geelong and hopes the claim will support his family.
A 1976 Express report said pupils at Albert Street, Moe, held a party for Winnie the Pooh's 50th birthday, with some bringing teddy bears. In 1996, community groups urged Latrobe Valley residents to attend the Latrobe Regional Hospital annual general meeting, where state Health Minister Rob Knowles was guest speaker. The groups opposed proposed privatisation. In 2016, Traralgon pilot Ben Lappin landed a restored 1941 Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber at Latrobe Regional Airport after an air show at Port Lincoln.
Tobacco Licensing Victoria says it has closed 100 outlets across Victoria, with 12 in Gippsland in the past two weeks. The Mirboo North shop was issued a 90-day short-term closure notice. Monash MP Mary Aldred says closures are too slow, with an estimated 1000 to 1600 illicit shops in the state, and calls for excise cuts. Reports say some shops have reopened online or relocated, and that organised crime is involved in the trade.
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Teams from Korumburra, Wonthaggi and Leongatha won five titles at the 41st Korumburra Junior Basketball Tournament over the weekend of October 17 and 18. A total of 166 teams played across six stadiums in Korumburra, Leongatha, Wonthaggi, Poowong and Warragul. Korumburra's Under 19 Girls won the A Grade title, beating the Traralgon T-Birds 38 to 22. Wonthaggi Coasters' Under 18 Boys completed an undefeated campaign with a 31 to 25 win over Warragul Warriors. Association president John Murdica said the event is an important annual fundraiser and benefits local communities.
Morwell beat Ex Students by three wickets in the standout Premier A match, chasing 165 with three overs to spare. Ryan Ayres top-scored with 59 not out. Toongabbie thrashed Traralgon West, with Rob Wheildon scoring 95 in a century stand before the home side was bowled out for 92. Mark Rawson made 107 not out for Traralgon West in B Grade. Several games were lopsided, and the league is short of umpires, with clubs providing umpires for some A Grade matches.
Moe began its season in the Strzelecki North Weekend Pennant with an 85-63 win over Traralgon RSL, after winning Division 2 last season. Michael Smogavec's rink led the way, winning 30-10 against Brian Smith. Jayde Leech and Sandy Caines also won their games for Moe. Ross Sizeland was the lone RSL winner, beating Peter Phillips 17-16. Elsewhere, Traralgon beat Trafalgar 87-59 in a replay of last year's grand final, while Boolarra won its Division 2 match against Garfield 96-48.
Residents can enjoy free live music at Latrobe City libraries as part of the Live at the Libraries program, running from October to December 2026. Visitors can drop in without booking. Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson said the series showcases local Gippsland musicians and encourages people to use their libraries. Performances include Simply Classical at Traralgon Library on November 21 and Vivace String Quartet's Christmas edition at Moe Library on December 19, both from 9am to 12pm.
Regional Victoria's property market grew in the third quarter, with house prices up 1.2 per cent to $673,500, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. Cheaper homes held up better than premium ones, with lower-quartile prices in metropolitan Melbourne falling less than upper-end prices over the September quarter. Median prices in Melbourne softened 0.7 per cent over the quarter. Real Estate Institute of Victoria chief executive Toby Balazs said the market was resilient despite higher borrowing costs and cost-of-living pressures, and called on the next state government to review auction and property sale reforms.
Cricket returned to the Latrobe Valley for the 2026/27 season at the weekend, with early rust evident across grades. In the Rod Dunbar Shield, Raiders beat Churchill, while Glengarry made 6/240 against Imperials, with Sam Marks unbeaten on 105. Morwell beat Rovers with a bonus point, and Ex Students defeated Moe by eight wickets. Several clubs suffered heavy player unavailability, leading to frequent forfeits in lower grades.
The Traralgon parkrun community marked parkrun's 22nd birthday on Saturday, October 3, with participants wearing tutus. Since starting in 2015, the Traralgon event has had more than 6000 participants and over 600 volunteers. Local runner Errol Poole has completed 591 parkruns over more than 14 years. In NSW, Kylie Murray was the first woman to finish the 57 kilometre Port Stephens Trail Run. The Harriers' summer season began on Thursday, October 8, with trail and hill runs.
The volunteer-run Latrobe Valley Racing Club has launched its new racing season at Glenview Park, Traralgon. The club holds two race meetings a year, with Derby Day on October 31 and Traralgon Cup Day on November 29. Member for Morwell Martin Cameron urged locals to support the small club. A new partnership with the Crown Hotel, Traralgon, will host the afterparty for this year's race meetings. Club chairman Frank Bezzina and committee members worked at the launch, which also paid tribute to former president John Darling.
Moe won all three of its first-round matches in the McGilton Shield, which opened the bowls season at Trafalgar on Saturday, October 10. Moe went on to win six matches across the first two rounds, leading the pack. It lost a round three match to Traralgon, but its close wins were enough to show it is a strong contender in Division 1 this year, after winning Division 2 last year. It was Moe's first McGilton Shield win since 2011/12. In the Barry Shield at Warragul, Warragul and Boolarra each finished on four wins after Churchill's late surge.
Bryce Ruthven has been appointed as the new Station Manager at South Coast FM, a community radio station. The station plans to expand its reach with multi-hub studio spaces across Bass Coast and South Gippsland. Ruthven brings over a decade of commercial radio experience, including winning an Australian Commercial Radio Award for Best Music Presenter in 2018. The station has also refreshed its logo and aims to increase community participation through more outside broadcasts.
