50 years ago
The Express, April 9, 1976
18 hours a day … for survival
NEARLY 100 dairy farmers are registered with the Commonwealth Employment Service in Morwell, waiting for job vacancies. Many farmers have been forced to take on outside work in order to survive, while still having to run their farms. For most, this is an 18-hour working day. Bob Pitman, senior district officer for the Agriculture Department in Maffra, said yesterday it was probable that more farmers would be registering to pay essential costs. “The situation is most definitely getting worse,” he said. According to Mr Terry Walsh, Commonwealth Employment Services manager, the office in Warragul is in a far worse situation than Morwell. Unemployment benefits amount to $38.75 per week (per single person), $64.50 a week for married couples, with an additional allowance for children under 16 of $7.50 a week. Newly elected president of the United Dairy Farmers of Victoria, Mr Bill Pyle, told The Express yesterday: “I feel like the situation will also get worse, that’s why we are trying desperately to make the federal government realise the position we are in”.
30 years ago
The Express, April 7, 1996
Parents argue against laptops
A GROUP of concerned parents have reacted angrily to a decision to introduce compulsory laptop notebook computers at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School in Warragul. This applies to all students in years 7-10 , announced by principal Richard Prideaux after a six-month strategic planning process. But in a detailed case against the implementation, parents expressed concern about the cost, necessity and safety of laptop computers. “This policy will effectively bar many families from sending their children to St Paul’s,” the statement read. A notebook computer costs around $3000, but St Paul’s has made it possible within the policy for parents to undergo a three-year lease for $2500. Parents also felt that those who relied on computers as a writing tool would be disadvantaged when sitting written VCE exams. “As we look to the 21st century, I don’t believe it’s possible to prepare students without a technology-based curriculum,” Mr Prideaux said. A further meeting for concerned parents will be held on Friday.
10 years ago
The Express, April 14, 2016
Some ease at the pump
LATROBE Valley motorists are paying less at the pump than their metropolitan counterparts for the first time in more than three months. While prices across the region have remained stagnant, for the seven-day period ending Tuesday, Melbourne prices shifted by more than 12 cents per litre. Most Victorian regional centres fell below the city average of 124.9 cents, with the only exception being Koo Wee Rup’s 125.8 cents per litre. Across the Valley, Traralgon drivers paid an average of 119 cents, Moe 118.9. and Morwell 115.6. The lowest recorded price was found at Bairnsdale with 101.3 cents per litre.
