EnergySafe Magazine Spring 2014, issue 37 | Page 5

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For all the latest energy safety news visit www.esv.vic.gov.au

Spring 2014
energysafe issue 37

Country footy stops
to look up and live
By Michelle Robertson, Senior Media
and Communications Advisor
Country footballers were reminded to
look up and live at the annual Energy Safe
Victoria round of AFL Vic matches in August.
At country footy matches around the state,
ESV distributed look up and live re-usable
coffee cups in the hope that those working near
electricity will keep the cups handy and remember
this vital message.
Leongatha Football Netball Club took things a
step further by hosting a special Look up and Live
round event, with giveaways and activities at their
game against Traralgon.
The match was attended by the Minister
for Energy, The Hon. Russell Northe, himself
a champion country footballer with a long
association with Traralgon Football Club and
whose son was playing on the day. Minister
Northe is pictured (below right) with Mal Mackie
of the Leongatha Football Club and ESV’s Director
of Energy Safety, Paul Fearon.
ESV has an ongoing partnership with AFL
Victoria and a commitment to reaching country
workers with its safety messages. By educating
country workers to steer clear of the 3m no go zone,
ESV is aiming to reduce the number of electricityrelated injuries and deaths.
As part of its ongoing association with AFL Vic,
ESV also sponsored the under 19s country team in
the annual VAFA versus Vic Country match.
AFL Victoria Country’s U19s were too strong

for the VAFA’s U19 side, reclaiming the Brian
Molony Cup with a thumping victory that saw
them emerge victorious by 106 points at the St
Albans Reserve in Geelong.
It was a tight contest early with the VAFA’s
pressure in the first term causing Vic Country to
turn over the ball far too regularly. Despite kicking
into the breeze, the VAFA led the Country team at
quarter time by four points.
But it was all Vic Country from then on as the

players asserted their authority on the contest.
The VAFA team was held scoreless in both the
second and third quarters while Vic Country
kicked 11.12 in the same period.
It didn’t get much better in the last. Restricted
to only one behind, the VAFA couldn’t stop the
margin blowing out to more than 100 points as the
Country team powered home for a memorable win.
The final scores were AFL Vic County
18.19.127 defeating VAFA 3.3. 21.

Storming to victory: Connor Hargreaves (left) breaks away during the Energy Safe Victoria U19s Vic
Country match against the VAFA. The Country team thumped their city rivals in the annual match, played
at Geelong’s St Albans Reserve on 12 July. Coach Damian Sexton, above right, encouraged the team not
to lose focus as they ran away with the match by 106 points. Photos: Gary Sparks.