50 years ago

The Express, October 20, 1976

Winnie won her

 

IT was Winnie the Pooh’s 50th birthday on Friday and pupils in grades prep, one and two at Albert Street, Moe, celebrated the special occasion with a party.

Wendy Hopkins, 6, was among the children who brought along their teddy bears.

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30 years ago

The Express, October 21, 1996

Groups urge local to attend LRH board AGM

 

STATE Health Minister Rob Knowles will be guest speaker at Wednesday’s Latrobe Regional Hospital annual general meeting.

Members of Save Moe Hospital Group, Morwell Community Public Health Group and Traralgon and District Hospital Support Group, have called on “all members of the Latrobe Valley community, who are able to do so” to attend the meeting.

A pamphlet circulated by the groups claimed the “current hospital crisis endangers everyone”.

“A large show of numbers … will send a message to the government that we are not happy with the present situation and are concerned about the proposed privatisation. It will also help support Latrobe Valley workers, who have undertaken a capaign to restore hospital services to the pre-1992 level.”

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10 years ago

The Express, October 20, 2016

Make way for the warbird

 

WHEN flying a World War II bomber, it’s advisable to not wear white clothing.

“I love flying warbirds at the moment. I get a good rush from flying them, but you do get dirty and oily so don’t wear whites,” show pilot Ben Lappin said.

The 25-year-old Traralgon pilot landed the Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber at Latrobe Regional Airport on Monday after performing in an air show at Port Lincoln.

The 1941 Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber was flown during World War II around the Pacific and New Guinea before coming to Australia. Lappin said the 8000 kilogram aircraft was a “big heavy thing to fly”, heavy on the controls with 1900 horsepower.

Lappin said he wouldn’t be flying if not for his late mother, Michelle, who died in April this year.

He said his mother was one of the chief flying instructors at the airport after the family moved back to the Valley from New South Wales.

Lappin said she had always commented that he should fly the old warbirds and “get into the good toys”.

The plane is owned by Paul Bennet, who Lappin works for, performing in aerobatic displays.

Bennet restored the bomber about six years ago with Air Gold Coast before purchasing it. He flew the plane to Mairland on Tuesday.