Darren Chester MP

Legendary Gippslander…

In 1964 Terry Carmichael joined the air force at the age of 19. Terry was at Melbourne Uni at the time and received a scholarship from the RAAF in 1965. He completed his Civil Engineering Degree and went to the Tindal air force base near Katherine, Northern Territory.

Terry spent his time in Tindal working on the runways and pavements as part of the Airfield Construction Squadron.

Terry also spent time at Darwin air force base in the Northern Territory and Learmonth in Western Australia near Exmouth, before heading to Amberley air force base in Queensland where he built concrete pavements and hangars for the new chinook helicopters.

In 1973, Terry went from Amberley to the Department of Defence in Canberra.

In 1975, at the age of 30, Terry by then a Squadron Leader, ventured to the USA with his wife and four daughters to complete his masters in Facilities Engineering at the United States Air University in Dayton Ohio where he lived for around 20 months.

Terry completed his masters at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base and was presented with his graduation certificate by Major General Simokaitis in Dayton, Ohio.

After completion of his Masters, the family moved back to Canberra where he was promoted to Wing Commander.

In 1980, Terry left the air force. From there he joined an international construction company and worked around the world.
Terry established his own company in the 1990s in engineering construction and retired when he sold the business in 2011.

Terry has spent over 20 years involved in Rotary Clubs in Gippsland and other locations. As well as consulting in mining ventures.

Terry lived overseas for much of his married life but three years ago moved to the Latrobe Valley and has called it home ever since.

Thank you for your service, Terry.

#lovegippsland #myvalley

Putting Locals First…

What is the Junior Hive in Yarram all about?

Linda Mirams, a new resident to the area saw the need for a youth space for kids aged between 12 and 17.

She had already set up a community shared space within her new accounting business appropriately called The Hive, and with the funding support of Yarram and District Health Service and help of fellow Yarram business owner Matt Langdon, Linda created The Junior Hive.

The supervised space provides an opportunity for local youth to input their ideas and be involved with leading and building their own projects, community, and events.

The Hive opened just before Christmas and has enjoyed great support from the local community.

A fundraising barbecue at the Yarram Traders and Tourism Association Christmas market raised more than $1,000, and other local businesses have also come onboard with the Commercial Hotel providing lunch for the hungry teenagers at their recent movie day.

The centre is creating employment in the town also with the Junior Hive committee putting out a call for a youth liaison officer to work with the youth of Yarram at the Junior Hive.

The Junior Hive, at 245 Commercial Road Yarram, is open every day during the school holidays for kids to just drop in. They can play games, read a book, be creative or just chill out.

The Junior Hive is just another example of Gippslanders doing great things in their local communities.

#lovegippsland

Cameron Stone of South Gippsland Tank Adventures cannot wipe the smile off his face.

Since the Melbourne curfews were lifted, he has been flat out giving tours of his military museum and taking his visitors on the ride of their lives, up and down hills, through the mud and finally over a bunch of old cars in one of his tanks.

South Gippsland Tank Adventure is one big adventure from the time you step out of your car and take in the breathtaking views until you pile back in again, face covered with mud or dust – depending on the time of year – and a smile on your face.
Kids (big and small) are encouraged to explore the tanks inside and out.

Back at the start of the second lockdown, Cameron was using the time without guests to repair some of his machinery, but without any income there were only certain things he could do as tank repairs are costly.

Cameron is a veteran with several years’ experience as a Leopard Tank Crewman with the Australian Defence Force serving in the 1st Armoured Regiment. He now hosts veterans from all over Australia for special weekends, which provide a chance to catch up with mates without any other pressures.

#lovegippsland