Latrobe Valley Express

20/12/2025

* SIGNIFICANT STORM OUTBREAK POSSIBLE ON SUNDAY *

A significant storm outbreak is possible on Sunday, 21 December, with a cold front, upper trough, and tropical moisture combining to generate the risk of severe storms across a large part of the state.

Severe storms will be possible from mid-morning in the north, extending east in the afternoon.

Heavy rain and flash flooding are the main threats, with damaging winds and hail also possible.

Intense rainfall and destructive winds in the north and east will be a watch point in Victoria.

Rainfall totals of 10-25mm are forecast in western and central Victoria, 25-35mm in the east, 50-60mm in the NE ranges, with isolated totals to 80-100mm possible.

Storms will be possible in Melbourne around lunchtime until mid-afternoon before clearing, with the risk of heavy rain - 15-30mm, with the possibility of 40-50mm in some eastern suburbs.

Image - Accumulative rainfall forecast for Sunday from the EC model via https://metcentre.weatherwatch.net.au

19/12/2025

Andy Theissling is Mr Football.

The Traralgon resident lives and breathes it.

Those who frequent local footy matches during winter have surely come across his friendly face over the years.

FOOTBALL By LIAM DURKIN   ANDY Theissling is Mr Football. The Traralgon resident lives and breathes it. Those who frequent [...]

19/12/2025

Morwell Nationals MP, Martin Cameron, has called on state Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio to resign after a damning report from the Auditor-General found Victoria’s energy system faces massive dislocation due to bad planning when Yallourn W power station closes in 2028.

By PHILIP HOPKINS   MORWELL Nationals MP, Martin Cameron, has called on state Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio to resign after [...]

19/12/2025

Warning: this story details an Aboriginal man who has died.


One of the alleged Kaiden Morgan killers has walked free, while another has been apprehended, after homicide detectives withdrew charges against the 19-year-old accused of taking the life of the Morwell man on September 27.

By AIDAN KNIGHT Warning: this story details an Aboriginal man who has died.   ONE of the alleged Kaiden Morgan [...]

19/12/2025

Hundreds of young football lovers made their way to Morwell Recreation Reserve for an afternoon with the game’s best.

Collingwood took over the Latrobe Valley last week, beginning with a super clinic and signing session, followed by a plethora of school visits.

FOOTBALL BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT   HUNDREDS of young football lovers made their way to Morwell Recreation Reserve for an afternoon [...]

18/12/2025

* VICTORIAN THUNDERSTORM FORECAST FOR TODAY, FRIDAY, 19TH DECEMBER 2025 *

Thunderstorms are possible across much of Victoria on Friday. Across the South West and Central districts, the thunderstorm risk is mainly in the evening. Further north and east, the risk persists throughout the day.

SEVERE thunderstorms are possible over parts of the Mallee, Northern Country, and North East in the afternoon and early evening.

DAMAGING WINDS are possible with severe thunderstorms.

There is also a slight risk of HEAVY RAIN in thunderstorms in the Severe Possible area.

Image and information source - McCartney's Storm Chasing.

18/12/2025

The gleaming blue colour is familiar, and the yellow lettering confirms the initial perception: Reflex copy paper is still available to buy in Australia.

But turning over the package reveals the truth: ‘Made in Thailand’.

By PHILIP HOPKINS   THE gleaming blue colour is familiar, and the yellow lettering confirms the initial perception: Reflex copy [...]

18/12/2025

For the second day in a row, a vehicle accident along the Gippsland line has halted all train services.

Sources report that a vehicle has come off the road onto the train line, at such a speed that the tracks have been caused to buckle.

All trains travelling in either direction have been stopped as a result. It is thought to have occurred at approximately 3:51pm.

It is currently unclear if the driver is trapped, but emergency services are now responding to the incident.

The Express is in contact with both V/Line and Victoria Police and will update accordingly as more information becomes available.

18/12/2025

Feeling like the “wild west”, Tyers farmer John Williamson has been left disgusted after finding some of his cattle shot.

Living beside a pine plantation in Tyers, during winter, Mr Williamson walked down to one of his paddocks along the side of the plantation, where his cows had been, only to find some of them dead.

By KATRINA BRANDON   FEELING like the "wild west", Tyers farmer John Williamson has been left disgusted after finding some [...]

18/12/2025

Moe Racing Club’s last official meeting for 2025 was held at the weekend.

Festive spirit was alive at Sunday’s meeting, with patrons enjoying the usual Christmas festivities.

HORSE RACING By LIAM DURKIN   MOE Racing Club's last official meeting for 2025 was held at the weekend. Festive [...]

18/12/2025

As temperatures rise, we’re reminding everyone that preventing bushfires starts with personal responsibility.

Last bushfire season, there were 59 offences relating to causing a bushfire, with 23 linked to reckless behaviour.
In one incident, local police evacuated more than 150 people from campsites in the Cape Otway area after a fire was reported in bushland near Blanket Bay Road and Red Hill Track. After more than six hours, the fire was brought under control, with 14 hectares burnt.

Thankfully, no one was physically injured. Investigators later determined the cause was an unattended campfire that had not been properly extinguished.

During the fire season, Victoria Police implements Operation Safeguard, ensuring police are ready to respond to fire-related threats.

The community also plays a critical role in bushfire prevention, particularly by reporting reckless or suspicious behaviour.

This fire season, remember to:
🔥 Check Fire Danger Ratings daily and know what you can and can’t do.
🔥 Use more than one source of information to stay informed.
🔥 If you see suspicious activity in progress, call Triple Zero (000).

Read more: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/police-warning-2025-26-bushfire-season

18/12/2025

A group of concerned parents say Latrobe City Council’s inaction on establishing a safe bus stop on Switchback Road, Churchill is putting children at risk on the busy road.

The families, representing their 13 children who commute to Baringa Special School, allege they have repeatedly appealed to Latrobe City Council to install a formalised bus stop, only to be ignored.

By AIDAN KNIGHT   A GROUP of concerned parents say Latrobe City Council's inaction on establishing a safe bus stop [...]