50 years ago
The Express, January 28, 1976
$500 streak gets $100 fine
A MORWELL youth was fined $100 in Melbourne Magistrates this week for streaking during the Third Test at the MCG. Graeme Wood, 20, pleaded guilty to willful and obscene exposure and offensive behaviour on December 26. Wood had said he stood to win $500 in bets for the act. Constable John Knowles told the court that he saw Wood climb over a fence near the scoreboard and run onto the playing area. Wood was naked except for a pair of running shoes and had his jeans tucked under his arm. “He ran out to the wicket area and offered the umpire a drink from a can,” Knowles said. “He then placed the can at the umpire’s feet and ran towards the wickets at the southern end of the pitch and broke them”. There were close to 90,000 people at the game which was held up for about five minutes. After receiving the fine for exposure the offensive behaviour charge was withdrawn.
30 years ago
The Express, January 30, 1996
Two shaken after balcony collapse
THE collapse of a hotel balcony in Maffra on the weekend left two Latrobe Valley residents shaken. After witnessing the incident and narrowly escaping injury, Express employees Angie Lush and Ruth Truscott described the event as frightening. A small crowd had gathered on the balcony of Maffra’s Metropolitan Hotel on Saturday night to watch the CFA torchlight parade. At 9.15pm the parade finished and spectators enjoyed the various bands. “I heard a crack and turned around and saw something falling,” Ms Lush said. She said screams rang out and the balcony appeared to swing down. According to Ms Lush, people were quick to help those injured despite all the confusion. “Initially we though people were under it. Mrs Truscott said she heard a scream and turned around to see the balcony falling. People upstairs were screaming. She said if the balcony had fallen straight down instead of collapsing on an angle, then her friends would have been flattened”. Following the incident, 18 people were taken from the scene to the Gippsland Base Hospital in Sale where they were treated for spinal, arm and leg fractures. A total of nine ambulances attended the incident, with 17 officers assisting.
10 years ago
The Express, January 28, 2016
Cinema planned for T’gon
A GOLD class cinema complex is on the cards at a vacant supermarket site in Traralgon’s town centre. Developer Minister Constructions applied to Latrobe City Council to build a $20 million cinema compound, including restaurant, motel and residential living at the old Manny’s Market site, on the corner of Franklin and Grey streets. Jim Northe of Minister said he was optimistic the company would receive a planning permit to begin work. Traralgon Community Development Association vice president Axella Johannsson said a cinema was always at the top of people’s wish lists in the area. The proposed motel and apartments also drew praise from the TCDA. “There is currently only one motel in walking distance to the CBD and it would be of huge benefit to have accommodation that close. Morwell residents have voiced concern on social media about the proposal and the impact the cinema would have on the town’s economy, fearing the impact it would have on the existing Morwell cinema in Mid Valley. However, Advance Morwell treasurer Max Williamson said two cinemas operating in the Latrobe Valley would benefit movie goers and drive competition.
