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CLASSES BEGIN FOR FIRST ADF TRAINEE PILOTS AT EAST SALE
The first intake of Australian Defence Force trainee pilots began classes today at RAAF Base East Sale as the finishing touches are made to the $392 million dollar redevelopment at the base. The start of lessons for the first 10 students follows a long local campaign...
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MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL VISITS RAAF CADETS AT RAAF BASE EAST SALE
The latest General Service Training Camp at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base East Sale has kicked off, welcoming 58 cadets and eight support staff for the week-long training camp. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester, who is also the Federal Member for...
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HEALTH FUNDING FOR GIPPSLAND HOSPITALS JUMPS BY UP TO 50%
Funding for hospitals in Gippsland has increased by up to 50 percent since the Federal Government took office in 2013. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said Commonwealth activity-based funding for the Latrobe Regional Hospital, Central Gippsland...
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CHESTER DONATES HATS TO LAKES ENTRANCE NIPPERS
Club members at Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance will be SunSmart as well as safe in the water, thanks to a donation by Federal MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester has provided the club with broad-brimmed hats again this summer to support the junior lifesaving program. “It’s...
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LET’S CELEBRATE OUR VOLUNTEERS THIS AUSTRALIA DAY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging Gippslanders to celebrate what’s best about our nation this Australia Day: our hard-working volunteers and those who work every day to keep us safe. “We live in the best region, of the greatest nation in the...
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MORE HELP NEEDED AS GIPPSLAND’S DROUGHT CRISIS DEEPENS
The Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says all levels of government will need to do more to support local drought-affected farming families. Speaking after a tour of drought communities and a meeting with Victorian Farmers Federation representatives this...
read moreNDIS BEGINS ROLLING OUT IN WELLINGTON AND EAST GIPPSLAND
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is now being rolled out in East Gippsland and Wellington shires. People living in these two local government areas will join more than 208,000 Australians already participating in NDIS. The Federal Member for Gippsland...
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LABOR MINISTERS NEGLECT GIPPSLAND DRIVERS OVER HIGHWAY
Federal MP Darren Chester says Gippsland motorists are being neglected and insulted by Labor ministers who can’t be bothered responding to local media questions about the future of the Princes Highway duplication between Traralgon and Sale. As pressure mounts on the...
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HAVE A SAY ON THE DRAFT DAIRY INDUSTRY CODE AT WARRAGUL
Farmers in Gippsland will have another chance to help shape the mandatory code of conduct for the dairy industry. The draft mandatory dairy code of conduct has been released today for public comment, following a series of consultation sessions in all eight dairy...
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STRONG DEMAND FOR BULK-BILLED MRIs AT SALE
Demand for medical scans at Sale hospital has been strong since Central Gippsland Health (CGH) was named among 10 Australian locations newly licensed to conduct Medicare-subsidised MRIs. Patients needing an MRI scan for cancer, stroke, heart and other medical...
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MALLACOOTA MEDICAL CENTRE OPEN FOR INSPECTION
Mallacoota locals have had their first look at their new $600,000 medical centre being built in the middle of town - and they were happy with the progress. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester officially opened the partially-built centre for inspection and was...
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CHESTER DONATES HATS TO WOODSIDE BEACH NIPPERS
Woodside Beach Surf Life Saving Club members will be SunSmart as well as safe in the water, thanks to a donation by Federal MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester has provided the club with broad-brimmed hats again this summer to support the junior lifesaving program. “It’s...
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DESERT ROSE RETURNS TO GIPPSLAND
Desert Rose will be back on the road in Gippsland from next week to give locals easy access to Australian Government services. The Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the specially equipped truck, operated by the Department of Human Services, would make...
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$47 MILLION TO SUPPORT YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
Young people in Gippsland will benefit from a $47 million Federal Government funding boost for youth mental health. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester welcomed the additional funding for Headspace to build services and deliver a new youth mental health...
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PLEA TO STAY SAFE AROUND THE WATER THIS SUMMER
The Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has urged locals and holiday makers to continue to take extra care around water as the National Summer Drowning Toll reaches 53, including five lives lost near Paynesville and at Cape Schanck and Phillip Island. The toll...
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BROOKER BUILDERS SECURES HOPE RESTART CENTRE TENDER
The Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed news a local builder will construct the first stage of a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre near Bairnsdale. Mr Chester, who secured $3 million of Federal Government money to build the...
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CHESTER HITS BACK AT GREENS CAMPAIGN TO CLOSE YALLOURN
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has defended the jobs of power station workers in the Latrobe Valley from a Victorian Greens campaign to begin closing Yallourn and phase out all coal-fired plants by 2030. Describing the Greens policy position as ‘reckless,...
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A WELCOME BOOST FOR LAKES ENTRANCE’S SURF LIFE SAVERS
Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance volunteers will be able to build new storage facilities with the help of a Federal Government grant. Local MP Darren Chester said the $8850 from the #lovegippsland Stronger Communities Program would boost the club’s own fundraising...
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THANK YOU TO FIRE FIGHTERS BATTLING ROSEDALE BLAZE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has paid tribute to CFA volunteers and other fire fighting crews still battling a major bushfire south-east of Rosedale. While more than 10,000 hectares of land have been burnt, including 2000 hectares of valuable pine...
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SUPPORTING WELLINGTON SHIRE THROUGH DROUGHT
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced $1 million for Wellington Shire Council from the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Program. Mr Chester said Wellington Shire Council would use the funding to engage local contractors to cart...
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LINDENOW SOUTH PS VISITS CANBERRA
Students from Lindenow South Primary School caught up with local MP Darren when they visited Parliament House as part of their school camp to Canberra. Lindenow South Primary School spent five days in Canberra visiting key sites including the Australian War Memorial,...
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$360,000 FOR NEW CHANGEROOMS AT LAKES REC RESERVE
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says Lakes Entrance sportsmen and women will finally receive upgraded facilities through a grant of nearly $360,000 for Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve. Mr Chester said new and improved changeroom facilities were...
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CLASSES TO BEGIN SOON FOR FIRST EAST SALE FLYING SCHOOL PILOTS
The first intake of students for the new Basic Flying Training School at RAAF Base East Sale will arrive in the region in just weeks. The school’s opening will follow a long-standing campaign over many years by the local community, The Nationals Member for Gippsland...
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PRINCES HIGHWAY DUPLICATION OPENS FOR CHRISTMAS
Two new duplicated sections of the Princes Highway will open in time to accommodate the heavy Christmas and summer holiday traffic. The new 3.4 kilometre stretch between Nambrok Road and Maffra-Rosedale Road at Nambrok and the 3.9km stretch just east of Traralgon...
read moreNEW LANES COMPLETED ON TWO SECTIONS OF PRINCES HIGHWAY EAST BETWEEN TRARALGON AND SALE
Drivers in Victoria’s east will experience a better journey along two newly duplicated and safer sections of the Princes Highway through Gippsland which will open to traffic this week. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said nearly seven and a half kilometres...
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MORWELL’S SHARED PAVILION WILL BE OPENED IN JAN
Construction of a new shared netball and cricket pavilion at Morwell Recreation Reserve is almost complete. The building is in the final stages of fit-out with flooring completed and kitchen appliances installed. It will be ready to use in January. The Nationals...
read moreREMEMBERING NOWA NOWA’S ONLY SOLDIER LOST IN WW2
A sculpture of a solider kneeling near a small field of poppies will be the centrepiece of a memorial in Nowa Nowa that honours the memory of a local soldier who died during the Second World War. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, who is also Minister...
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$26 MILLION TO FIGHT NATURAL DISASTERS
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed a $26 million Federal Government boost to help the community better handle natural disasters, including bushfires. Mr Chester said the funding would be invested in aerial firefighting capabilities, a new...
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SEASPRAY NIPPERS COMMENCE
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has presented Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club with hats for its Nippers. The Nipper Education Program introduces children aged 5 to 14 years to water safety skills and surf lifesaving. Seaspray held the first beach...
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FUNDING FOR JEMMY’S POINT VIEWING PLATFORM SOUGHT
he Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is working to secure the money needed to build an iconic viewing platform at Jemmy’s Point near Lakes Entrance. Mr Chester has written to the responsible federal and state ministers requesting any surplus funds from the...
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CONTRACTOR APPOINTED FOR SYNTHETIC OVAL
Construction of a $3.5 million synthetic oval at the Morwell Recreation Reserve will commence before the end of this year. The oval will be built on the old caravan park site behind the current football oval. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced...
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$800,000 FOR THREE NEW BRIDGES IN FAR EAST GIPPSLAND
The Federal Government is providing almost $800,000 to replace three timber bridges in far East Gippsland. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the government had provided $790,000 under the Roads to Recovery program to construct a new concrete and...
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ROSEDALE’S REVITALISATION PROJECT ALMOST COMPLETE
Work on Rosedale’s $1.5 million facelift is nearly done, with the streetscape improvements along Prince Street and the shared pathway to Willow Park already finished. A new toilet block, picnic shelter and access road to Willow Park, which is a popular stop for...
read moreMORE SATELLITE INTERNET DATA TO HELP REMOTE GIPPSLANDERS
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says increased data allowances for satellite internet services in rural and remote areas will help prevent internet cost blow-outs. Mr Chester has welcomed an announcement from NBN Co that it would provide increased...
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TALKING POLITICS
Senior students at St Mary’s Primary School, Sale, learnt about Australia’s political system when The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester took over the whiteboard. Mr Chester visits primary schools across Gippsland to support civics and citizenships studies...
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ENERGY FROM WASTE PROJECT MOVING FORWARD
Australian Paper’s energy from waste project has taken a step forward with the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) approving an application to develop a large-scale Waste to Energy facility. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced $2.5...
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HARDCHROME ENGINEERING
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester recently visited Hardchrome Engineering’s workshop in Yallourn, which is one of Australia’s largest engineering workshops spanning over 20,000 square metres. Hardchrome Engineering Service facilities were established...
read more100 MILLION TO SUPPORT AUSTRALIANS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES
The Federal Government will expand free access to glucose monitoring devices for pregnant women, children and more adults with type 1 diabetes, saving Gippsland patients up to $7,000 a year. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the $100 million...
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WORK BEGINS AT GIPPSLAND LAKES COMMUNITY HEALTH
A multi-million dollar expansion to accommodate an extra 50 staff members at Gippsland Lakes Community Health’s (GLCH) Bairnsdale site is underway. Almost all required demolition work at 66 McCulloch Street is complete and a concrete slab for a two-storey extension in...
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NEW MEDICAL CENTRE OPENS IN STRATFORD
A new medical clinic is now open in Stratford, giving locals easier access to a general practitioner. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester officially opened the Stratford Medical Centre today. The centre has been built in the main street next door to the...
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MORE TO BE DONE TO SIMPLIFY GOVERNMENT DROUGHT HELP
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says more needs to be done to simplify access to drought assistance. Mr Chester made the comment after attending a meeting in Bairnsdale today with local farmers and an expert panel appointed to review the Federal...
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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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$500M TO BOOST WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
A half billion dollar increase to the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund will bolster the delivery of water projects for regional communities. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the fund provided an opportunity for further investment and...
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METUNG BOARDWALK
Contractors are on site and work is progressing well on a new boardwalk at Metung to improve pedestrian safety from Chinaman’s Creek to the village centre. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the extended boardwalk would help bring more people into town...
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GILES STREET EXTENSION
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester visited the Giles Street extension this week and was pleased to see works progressing well. Tambo Constructions is undertaking the project to link Bairnsdale’s industrial area to the East Gippsland Livestock Exchange. A new...
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WORK TO BEGIN SOON ON TRARALGON WEST PAVILION
Work to complete the central pavilion at the Traralgon West Sporting Complex could begin within the next few months. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has secured $300,000 from the Federal Government to fit out the new clubrooms for Traralgon West...
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$267,000 FOR GIPPSLAND PLAINS RAIL TRAIL
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today announced $267,000 towards a $1 million upgrade of Gippsland Plains Rail Trail to create jobs and encourage people to be more active. “This funding is an investment in our region and in local jobs,” Mr Chester...
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PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS DUE FOR COMPLETION BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Two new pedestrian crossings in Lakes Entrance should be completed by the end of the year in time for the busy summer holiday period. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured funding of $5 million for improvements to The Esplanade as part of a $50 million...
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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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