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$1 MILLION FOR NEW CLASSROOMS AT CATHOLIC COLLEGE SALE
A multi-million dollar redevelopment will provide years seven and eight students at Catholic College Sale with purpose-built, state of the art learning spaces. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced $1 million from the Federal Government,...
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FUNDING SOUGHT FOR MORWELL CROQUET CLUB UPGRADE
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is helping Morwell Croquet Club secure funding for much-needed upgrades. Mr Chester is backing plans for a $100,000 upgrade to the croquet club to complement other works underway at the Morwell Recreation Reserve. Mr...
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BAIRNSDALE AND LAKES ENTRANCE LINK TO TYNE COT CEREMONY
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has returned from fulfilling official duties on the battlefields of the Western Front to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War. Among his engagements, Mr Chester attended a burial service for two...
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#LOVEGIPPSLAND CALENDAR COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED
A photograph of the sun rising through a dew-covered spider web is the winner of this year’s #lovegippsland calendar photo competition. The winning picture, taken by Terry Russell of Orbost, was selected from more than 300 entries. Bruthen’s Geoff Stanton won second...
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UNIVERSITY STUDY RIGHT HERE IN EAST GIPPSLAND
A university training hub will be established in East Gippsland to provide tertiary education opportunities for students to study locally via distance education. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced $595,000 from the Federal Government to establish a...
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WORKS UNDERWAY ON CENTENARY HOUSE EXPANSION
Rotary Centenary House will double its capacity when its stage three expansion is completed in April. Rotary Centenary House is a ‘home away from home’ providing accommodation and support to cancer patients and their families during treatment at Latrobe Regional...
read moreCHESTER CONGRATULATES NEW WELLINGTON MAYOR
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today congratulated Councillor Alan Hall on his election as the new mayor of Wellington Shire Council. Mr Chester also congratulated Councillor Malcolm Hole on his election as deputy mayor. “I am looking forward to...
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LOCAL FARMERS TO HAVE SAY ON FARM HOUSEHOLD ALLOWANCE
An independent panel undertaking a national review of the Farm Household Allowance hardship payment will hold a public consultation session in Bairnsdale on November 22, 2018. Farm Household Allowance is a Federal Government payment to help farming families struggling...
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MORWELL’S SHARED PAVILION ALMOST COMPLETE
Morwell’s new shared netball and cricket pavilion is set to be finished by the end of this month. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced $5 million toward upgrades at the Morwell Recreation Reserve, including new netball courts and the shared pavilion...
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NEW LIONS UNVEILED AT THE MENIN GATE IN IEPER
NEW Menin Gate lions are now a permanent fixture on the plinths in front of the Menin Gate Memorial, as the Australian Government’s gift to the city of Ieper (Ypres) was unveiled today. The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said Australia and the city of...
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REMEMBERING THOSE WHO SERVED AUSTRALIA 100 YEARS AGO
The Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is urging all locals to pay their respects to Australian servicemen and women on the Centenary of the Armistice to end World War One. Mr Chester said Remembrance Day 2018 would mark the end of the Centenary of Anzac...
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CALLS FOR LAKES COMMUNITY TO UNITE
Federal MP Darren Chester has paid tribute to outgoing East Gippsland Shire Mayor Joe Rettino and called on the community to unite to focus on the economic and social challenges facing towns such as Lakes Entrance. Mr Chester this week met with Cr Rettino and...
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NEW PHONE TOWER SWITCHED ON AT TRARALGON SOUTH
A new mobile phone base station has been switched on to improve coverage for residents, businesses and visitors in Traralgon South. The Telstra tower, located near Redhill Road, is one of 12 mobile phone base stations either built or upgraded in Gippsland under the...
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WAGE SUBSIDY TRIAL FOR LOCAL APPRENTICES AND BUSINESSES
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed a $60 million program to encourage businesses in regional and rural communities to take on more apprentices. Mr Chester said the wage subsidy trial would enable eligible employers in Gippsland to receive...
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LATROBE SPORTS PAVILION A GAME-CHANGER
The construction of a modern multi-use sports pavilion to be officially opened today in Churchill will promote economic growth and boost sporting participation in the region, particularly among female players. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the...
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CENTRELINK OPENING SATURDAY JUST FOR FARMERS
A specialised information session for farmers facing financial hardship is being held at Sale Centrelink this weekend. Sale Centrelink will open Saturday (November 3) from 10am to 12 noon to offer a farmers-only information session covering the Farm Household...
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FINAL STAGES OF PRINCES HWY
Two more stages of the Princes Highway duplication between Sale and Traralgon are nearing completion. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said a 3.4km section at Nambrok and another 3.9km section just east of Traralgon were both due for completion early next...
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CHESTER WELCOMES NEW MAYOR
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the election of Councillor Natalie O’Connell as East Gippsland Shire’s new mayor and says he is looking forward to working with her to promote the region. Mr Chester said Cr O’Connell provided a youthful and...
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NEW SPORTS VENUE RAISES THE BAR IN GIPPSLAND
A new era of economic opportunity through sport is on its way to Sale following today’s opening of Stage 2A at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said a synthetic hockey field and sports pavilion had been completed as...
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EARTHWORKS BEGIN FOR HOPE RESTART CENTRE
Earthworks are now underway for a new residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre to be built at Lucknow, east of Bairnsdale. Heavy machinery has been working at the site of the Hope Restart Centre, preparing an access road, storm water retention dam and...
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WORK ON CYCLING PATHWAY UNDERWAY IN MORWELL
Construction is now underway between Alexanders Road and Old Melbourne Road, as the Traralgon to Morwell shared pathway continues to take shape. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced $1.6 million from the Federal Government toward a...
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TAILS WAG AS WORKPLACE WELFARE PROGRAM BEGINS
RAAF Base East Sale will be one of three RAAF bases around Australia to be part of a new program using dogs to improve the wellbeing of Defence Force members and their families. Minister for Defence Personnel and The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today...
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MONASH UNIVERSITY MUST COMMIT OR LEAVE ALTOGETHER
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says Gippsland students are missing out on the chance to study medicine because Monash University is not committed to the region. Mr Chester has called on Monash University to make a long-term commitment to training...
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SUPPORTING FARMERS & SMALL BUSINESS DURING THE DROUGHT
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the establishment of a taskforce to find new ways to help farmers and small businesses in drought-affected areas. Mr Chester said the new Drought Finance Taskforce was part of the Federal Government’s...
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EAST SALE’S NEW LOOK ROULETTES UNVEILED TO THE NATION.
The new look Pilatus PC-21 aircraft used by the Royal Australian Air Force’s aerobatic display team, the Roulettes, has been unveiled today in Canberra. The Nationals Member for Gippsland and Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the Air Force had...
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RECOGNISING THE CONTRIBUTION OF LIONS CLUBS TO GIPPSLAND
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has paid tribute to local volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to their communities across Gippsland. Mr Chester attended the opening of the Lions District Convention on Friday night at Morwell’s Kernot Hall,...
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TAX RELIEF FOR BUSINESSES IN GIPPSLAND
Almost 15,000 small and medium-sized businesses in Gippsland will get additional tax cuts five years earlier than planned, in a major boost to the regional economy. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said lower company tax would mean more jobs and...
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100TH BIRTHDAY FOR LOCAL ARMY VETERAN
Army veteran Arthur "Roy" Guenther is celebrating his 100th birthday this Saturday, October 20. Local MP Darren Chester, who is also Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, visited Mr Guenther at Yallambee Aged Care in Traralgon to personally congratulate him on the milestone...
read moreBOOST FOR YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Young Gippslanders will benefit from a $51 million Federal Government funding boost for youth mental health care. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed additional funding for headspace and eheadspace to reduce wait times and provide extra clinical...
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CALLS TO SUPPORT GIPPSLAND PLAINS RAIL TRAIL UPGRADE
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is backing a $1 million upgrade of Gippsland Plains Rail Trail to create tourism jobs and safe exercise opportunities for local residents. Mr Chester is urging all levels of government to work with the community to...
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AVON RIVER BRIDGE FIRST CONTRACTOR APPOINTED
The first contractor has been announced and preparatory works are underway for the new rail bridge over the Avon River in Stratford. Local company OnePlan Land Development Group, which has an office in Bairnsdale, has been appointed to begin cadastral surveying on...
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SAVING LIVES ON RURAL ROADS
Too many people are killed and injured on Gippsland roads and local MP Darren Chester is encouraging all road users to take responsibility for their own safety. Mr Chester is supporting Rural Road Safety Week, a national campaign by the Australian Road Safety...
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LATROBE CREATIVE PRECINCT MOVES FORWARD
Latrobe Creative Precinct has taken a step forward, with Becon Constructions chosen as the preferred builder for the Latrobe Creative Precinct. The company has been appointed under an Early Contractor Involvement process. Becon Constructions will work with Latrobe...
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MORWELL CBD REVITALISATION WORKS TO START
Works have commenced on a multi-million redevelopment of the Morwell Central Business District (CBD) to bring more people into the town and support small business owners. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Federal Government was contributing...
read moreHELP FOR LOCAL PEOPLE WITH GAMBLING PROBLEMS
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today announced Latrobe Community Health Service would receive more than $160,000 from the Federal Government to help people with gambling problems. The funding would provide personal financial help for people across...
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WORKS COMMENCE AT ALBERTON TIMBER PLANT
A new steam cylinder has arrived at Alberton Timber and Treatment Plant, following Federal Government funding of $550,000 to expand the business. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the family-owned business was constructing a new post peeling...
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BACK TO SCHOOL AT MAFFRA FOR DARREN CHESTER
The Nationals Member for Gippsland was a special guest at Maffra Secondary College recently. Hosted by school captains Adelle O’Doherty and Michael Airey, Mr Chester was taken for a tour of the school before meeting the student leaders. Mr Chester took part in a...
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SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN FOR REGIONAL STUDENTS TO STUDY STEM
A multi-million dollar scholarship fund is now taking applications from local students who need financial help to further their education in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM). The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said more than 1200...
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MID PHASE 2 FUNDING PROMISE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed this morning’s announcement from the Victorian Nationals and Liberals that they would provide $13.4 million for the final phase of the MID2030 Macalister Irrigation Modernisation Project. Mr Chester said the...
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MORWELL’S SHARED NETBALL AND CRICKET PAVILION NEARLY READY
Works on the new shared netball and cricket pavilion at the Morwell Recreation Reserve should be finished in just two months. The framing and brickwork are finished and the external cladding on the northern side of the building is in place. The Nationals Member for...
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HAVE A SAY ON NEW $95 MILLION AVON RIVER RAIL BRIDGE FOR STRATFORD
Public consultation has begun in preparation for the new $95 million rail bridge to be built over the Avon River at Stratford. Train travellers and the broader public are invited to provide their views on planning and environmental issues related to construction of...
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CENTENARY HOUSE EXPANSION GETS UNDERWAY
A $2.1 million expansion of Gippsland Rotary Centenary House is now underway. Foundation works have started on site at Valley Drive, Traralgon, behind Latrobe Regional Hospital for the stage three expansion. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, who...
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GIPPSLAND REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT TRIAL
A regional employment trial to create more job opportunities in the Latrobe Valley has commenced. Gippsland has been selected as one of 10 regions across Australia to benefit from a new Federal Government employment trial that will enable local organisations, which...
read moreMEN’S SHED FUNDING TO IMPROVE FACILITIES
Gippsland Men’s Sheds will receive Federal Government funding to develop new programs and improve facilities for members. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said funding had been approved for Morwell, Yarram and Lakes Entrance Men’s Sheds under round 17 of...
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NEW ROUNDABOUT ENCOURAGES DRIVERS TO STOP IN CANN RIVER
Federal MP Darren Chester says the redeveloped Princes Highway east of Orbost was starting to take shape and would deliver long-term safety and economic benefits. Mr Chester drove the highway this week and said the improved shoulders, overtaking lanes and new...
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APPLY NOW TO SHARE $200 MILLION FROM THE BUILDING BETTER REGIONS FUND
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has urged Gippsland councils and community organisations to apply for a share of $200 million in Federal Government funding for regional Australia. Mr Chester said the money would be allocated to local infrastructure...
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WORKING TO EASE ORBOST’S DOCTOR SHORTAGE
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is working with his Canberra colleagues to try to solve the shortage of doctors in communities like Orbost. The difficulty attracting doctors to the town was one of the important issues raised when Mr Chester visited...
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EXTENDED BOARDWALK SHOWCASES METUNG’S BEAUTIFUL BAY
Metung traders and residents are looking forward to a new tourism attraction this summer, with the extended Metung boardwalk due for completion by mid-December. The project was identified as one of the Metung community’s highest priorities and will create a safe walk...
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FUNDING FOR REGIONAL AGED CARE PROVIDERS
New funding is available to Gippsland aged care providers to update facilities. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has encouraged local providers to apply for one-off grants of up to $500,000 to undertake infrastructure projects. “Whether it’s improving...
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SALE’S NEW HOCKEY COMPLEX ALMOST READY TO USE
Work on the new synthetic hockey field and pavilion at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex in Sale is nearing an end. Final touches are currently being made to the pavilion, an outdoor basketball court has been built and the synthetic playing surface is now being...
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