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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 at 2:56pm
Talking all things veterans’ mental health & transition from ADF with @David_Speers Gallipoli Medical Research & Phoenix. Expert advice & research teamed with practical on the ground experience is making a difference. @DVAAus @DeptDefence #auspol https://t.co/ZgKYLbMS7O
Talking all things veterans’ mental health & transition from ADF with @David_Speers Gallipoli Medical Research & Phoenix. Expert advice & research teamed with practical on the ground experience is making a difference. @DVAAus @DeptDefence #auspol https://t.co/ZgKYLbMS7O
Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 at 8:01am
We are listening to veterans, their families and experts on mental health. Today’s Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Summit is just the start. Free mental health care is available to all veterans and if someone you know needs a hand, please contact Open Arms on 1800 011 046. https://t.co/aQzY21LrKr
We are listening to veterans, their families and experts on mental health. Today’s Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Summit is just the start. Free mental health care is available to all veterans and if someone you know needs a hand, please contact Open Arms on 1800 011 046. https://t.co/aQzY21LrKr
Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 at 5:40am
Spotted in Sydney hairdressing salon - ‘how much is that doggie in the window?’ @GemmaTognini @pipcourtney @DaniellePopeWIN @nrcollard @swrighteconomy https://t.co/XzWaD8GoG6
Spotted in Sydney hairdressing salon - ‘how much is that doggie in the window?’ @GemmaTognini @pipcourtney @DaniellePopeWIN @nrcollard @swrighteconomy https://t.co/XzWaD8GoG6
Darren’s Facebook
Darren Chester MP
Official Page of The Nationals Member for Gippsland,
Federal Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel.
Check out Darren's personal page at https://www.facebook.com/darren.chester.524
Happy birthday to David Donnan, who’s 100 years old today.
David credits his long life to a healthy lifestyle, a good family and three wonderful women is his life – his mother Janet, his wife Esme and his daughter Margaret. ‘They are why I’m still here.’
Originally from Townsville, David joined the Citizen Military Forces in January 1940 as a Private. After completing accountancy exams he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in September 1941. He joined the 62nd Battalion and turned down a promotion, choosing to stay as a Private for his remaining war service.
David was posted to Bribie Island, and later to Moreton Island, supporting the fort guns which were defending Brisbane. He also served in Dutch New Guinea near Merauke stationed close to his brother Jim, who was with the RAAF 86th squadron. Tragically, on November 20, 1943, Jim did not return from a routine reconnaissance patrol. Jim’s plane has never been found. David’s other brother Bob, who had been a POW in Italy for two years, escaped over the Alps into neutral Switzerland while being transferred to Germany.
David left the AIF in August 1944 after being injured in a live grenade training exercise.
On his return to civilian life, David worked at the Department of Repatriation serving his fellow veterans, and eventually became the Chief Accountant for Repatriation in Queensland.
David says the best thing about his service was the friendships, and his message to younger veterans is look after your mates and be there for them when you come home.
Great advice David. Wishing you a happy birthday, and thank you for your service. #TYFYS
David credits his long life to a healthy lifestyle, a good family and three wonderful women is his life – his mother Janet, his wife Esme and his daughter Margaret. ‘They are why I’m still here.’
Originally from Townsville, David joined the Citizen Military Forces in January 1940 as a Private. After completing accountancy exams he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in September 1941. He joined the 62nd Battalion and turned down a promotion, choosing to stay as a Private for his remaining war service.
David was posted to Bribie Island, and later to Moreton Island, supporting the fort guns which were defending Brisbane. He also served in Dutch New Guinea near Merauke stationed close to his brother Jim, who was with the RAAF 86th squadron. Tragically, on November 20, 1943, Jim did not return from a routine reconnaissance patrol. Jim’s plane has never been found. David’s other brother Bob, who had been a POW in Italy for two years, escaped over the Alps into neutral Switzerland while being transferred to Germany.
David left the AIF in August 1944 after being injured in a live grenade training exercise.
On his return to civilian life, David worked at the Department of Repatriation serving his fellow veterans, and eventually became the Chief Accountant for Repatriation in Queensland.
David says the best thing about his service was the friendships, and his message to younger veterans is look after your mates and be there for them when you come home.
Great advice David. Wishing you a happy birthday, and thank you for your service. #TYFYS
Lakes Entrance Men’s Shed is booming and the boys are kept busy with plenty of jobs both big and small. They even built new seats on the Lake Bunga track for Marlo to take a break during a trail run!
This building is more than a shed, it’s a fantastic community facility that brings together like-minded people, it’s a place to keep busy when facing outside challenges and a place to build new friendships and find support.
The federal government has been able to help out with a small grant for new equipment and the team at the shed told me new members are welcome.
#lovegippsland
This building is more than a shed, it’s a fantastic community facility that brings together like-minded people, it’s a place to keep busy when facing outside challenges and a place to build new friendships and find support.
The federal government has been able to help out with a small grant for new equipment and the team at the shed told me new members are welcome.
#lovegippsland
Darren
Lakes Entrance Men’s Shed is booming and the boys are kept busy with plenty of jobs both big and small. They even built new seats on the Lake Bunga track for Marlo to take a break during a trail run!
This building is more than a shed, it’s a fantastic community facility that brings together like-minded people, it’s a place to keep busy when facing outside challenges and a place to build new friendships and find support.
The federal government has been able to help out with a small grant for new equipment and the team at the shed told me new members are welcome.
#lovegippsland
This building is more than a shed, it’s a fantastic community facility that brings together like-minded people, it’s a place to keep busy when facing outside challenges and a place to build new friendships and find support.
The federal government has been able to help out with a small grant for new equipment and the team at the shed told me new members are welcome.
#lovegippsland
It was a pleasure to take the acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack to Yarram to meet the residents and staff at Mirridong Services.
It’s humbling to see how money from the Federal Government will help to change the lives of people Mirridong serves with the construction of new accommodation.
I caught up with some old friends, including the fellas behind Mirridong's Green Thumbs.
Good luck to everyone involved in next week's show Mirri-Mia starring the Mirridong All Stars at the Yarram Regent Theatre - produced by the irrepressible Darren McCubbin.
And in case you are wondering, our acting Prime Minister made time to play a few games of UNO. (Didn't win a hand, though).
#lovegippsland
It’s humbling to see how money from the Federal Government will help to change the lives of people Mirridong serves with the construction of new accommodation.
I caught up with some old friends, including the fellas behind Mirridong's Green Thumbs.
Good luck to everyone involved in next week's show Mirri-Mia starring the Mirridong All Stars at the Yarram Regent Theatre - produced by the irrepressible Darren McCubbin.
And in case you are wondering, our acting Prime Minister made time to play a few games of UNO. (Didn't win a hand, though).
#lovegippsland
Darren
It was a pleasure to take the acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack to Yarram to meet the residents and staff at Mirridong Services.
It’s humbling to see how money from the Federal Government will help to change the lives of people Mirridong serves with the construction of new accommodation.
I caught up with some old friends, including the fellas behind Mirridong's Green Thumbs.
Good luck to everyone involved in next week's show Mirri-Mia starring the Mirridong All Stars at the Yarram Regent Theatre - produced by the irrepressible Darren McCubbin.
And in case you are wondering, our acting Prime Minister made time to play a few games of UNO. (Didn't win a hand, though).
#lovegippsland
It’s humbling to see how money from the Federal Government will help to change the lives of people Mirridong serves with the construction of new accommodation.
I caught up with some old friends, including the fellas behind Mirridong's Green Thumbs.
Good luck to everyone involved in next week's show Mirri-Mia starring the Mirridong All Stars at the Yarram Regent Theatre - produced by the irrepressible Darren McCubbin.
And in case you are wondering, our acting Prime Minister made time to play a few games of UNO. (Didn't win a hand, though).
#lovegippsland
About Darren
Darren Chester was elected to Federal Parliament as the Member for Gippsland on June 26, 2008.
Darren Chester was sworn in as the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC on 5 March 2018.
ABOUT GIPPSLAND
Gippsland is one of the most diverse regions in Australia and our community is dispersed across 33,000 square kilometres.