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BUSHFIRE RECOVERY MUST SUPPORT LOCALS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is urging all levels of government to maximise local job opportunities as part of the bushfire recovery effort. Mr Chester said local farmers and businesses were suffering as a direct result of the fires and evacuation...
EMERGENCY SUPPORT FOR PRIMARY PRODUCERS IN BUSHFIRE AFFECTED EAST GIPPSLAND
Primary producers who suffered property losses in bushfire affected East Gippsland will be eligible for grants of up to $75,000. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester welcomed the funding and said it would provide much needed help to begin rebuilding. “Our...
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR BUSHFIRE-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES
The Federal Government will provide more mental health support services for people impacted by the on-going bushfire disaster. An initial $76 million will fund free counselling sessions, extra Medicare and tele-health consultations, an expansion of headspace services...
HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY BUSHFIRES
HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY BUSHFIRES People affected by the bushfires in East Gippsland are eligible for a range of services and support. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said navigating the help available could be confusing but encouraged...
ASSISTANCE FOR GIPPSLAND RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY FIRES
Gippsland residents impacted by the bushfires are eligible for disaster relief payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child from tomorrow. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the assistance was available through the Australian Government’s Disaster Recovery...
CONSTRUCTION AT YALLAMBEE SHAPING UP
The construction of the final 16 residential aged care rooms for Yallambee within Margery Cole Residential Aged Care Services is nearing completion. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, who secured $1.88 million for the project, visited the site recently to...
A NEW PLAYGROUND FOR YARRAM PRIMARY SCHOOL
Yarram Primary School will receive $20,000 towards a new $32,000 playground for its middle and senior school students. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester this week announced the school was one of 11 across Gippsland to share almost $200,000 from the Federal...
A WELCOME GIFT FOR LONGFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL
Longford Primary School will receive $20,000 to transform its multi-purpose hall into an effective learning space. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester this week announced the school was one of 11 across Gippsland to share almost $200,000 from the Federal...
TENDERS TO BE CALLED SOON FOR MIRRIDONG’S NEW UNITS
Tenders for the construction of living accommodation for people with a disability in Yarram are on track to be called early next year. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester this week met with Mirridong Services CEO Doreen Milne, who said the plans were close to...
A HELPING HAND FOR EAST GIPPSLAND SPECIALIST SCHOOL
East Gippsland Specialist School will receive almost $17,500 to buy new classroom and playground equipment for its students. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester this week announced the school was one of 11 across Gippsland to share almost $200,000 from...
WORK AT LATROBE CREATIVE PRECINCT UNDERWAY
A huge hole has appeared at the corner of Grey and Church Streets in Traralgon, but it won’t stay there forever. Workers began excavating the hole in October. When they are finished, the hole will be a 74-space underground car park and the foundations of the Latrobe...
2019-20 VOLUNTEER GRANTS PROGRAM NOW OPEN
Gippsland volunteer organisations have an opportunity to receive much needed financial support for their valuable work in the community. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester this week announced the 2019-2020 Volunteer Grants round was now open. “Grants of...
HAVE A SAFE SUMMER HOLIDAY IN GIPPSLAND
Gippslanders are being urged to take a break in their own backyard this summer and remember to take their family’s safety seriously. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the summer holidays were a perfect time to explore the region’s natural attractions...
CHESTER WELCOMES SUPPORT FOR FLYNN COMMUNITY HALL REVAMP
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed Latrobe City Council’s support for the much-needed works on the Flynn Community Hall. Latrobe City Council has listed the hall as one of its five priorities for funding through the Federal Government’s Drought...
CHESTER SHUNS CHRISTMAS PUDDING FOR CHARITY FUN RUN
Local MP Darren Chester won’t be able to over-indulge over the Christmas holidays as it’s now less than two months before for the 2020 Race the Rubeena Sale Community Fun Run. Mr Chester has competed in the first of two Race the Rubeena fun runs, but is concerned...
WORK BEGINS ON LUCKNOW’S NEW NETBALL COURTS
Heavy machinery has begun working on the new netball courts as part of the $1 million upgrade at Lucknow Recreation Reserve. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester met with Tania McNamara and Stephen Bull from Lucknow Football and Netball Club to learn more about...
A NEW ERA AT COWWARR CRICKET CLUB HOTEL
There’s a new team at the Cowwarr Cricket Club Hotel - and they’re breathing new life into the classic pub. At the helm is licensee Jarrod Michael, who’s helping fellow veterans adjust to life after military service by providing meaningful work. Federal Member for...
$2.4 MILLION EXPANSION AT GIPPSLAND LAKES COMPLETE HEALTH OPENS
Residents in East Gippsland will benefit from a multi-million dollar expansion of Gippsland Lakes Complete Health in Bairnsdale with the official opening today. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $500,000 in Federal Government funding towards the...
LOCH SPORT CIRCUIT CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN SOON
Outdoor fitness equipment will soon be installed along the Loch Sport foreshore. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $100,000 as part of the Active Gippsland initiative announced during the recent election campaign. Mr Chester said the installation of...
CHESTER SUPPORTS ABALONE FISHERMEN
Abalone fishermen across Gippsland are opposing a proposed compulsory levy of 1.5% by the Abalone Council Australia to their annual abalone catch. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is throwing his support behind abalone fishermen opposing the 1.5% levy to...
CHESTER SUPPORTS PAYNESVILLE BUSINESS AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION’S ACTIONS TO IMPROVE REGION
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is supporting Paynesville Business and Tourism Association’s ‘top 10 actions’ to improve the region. Mr Chester has congratulated the community leaders for developing a plan to make Paynesville an even better place to live,...
PROTECTING LIVESTOCK FROM WILD DOGS IN EAST GIPPSLAND
Seventy-seven kilometres of new or reinforced fencing will be erected across East Gippsland to protect livestock from wild dogs. Federal Government is providing $343,000 in rebates towards the cost of installing 35 kilometres of new fences and upgrading 42 kilometres...
GREAT ALPINE ROAD WORKS NEAR AN END
A $10 million project to improve safety and accessibility along the Great Alpine Road between Bruthen and Cobungra is nearly finished, little more than two years since funding was announced. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said work on the project began at...
HOPE RESTART CENTRE NEARS COMPLETION
Work at the Hope Restart Centre near Bairnsdale is quickly nearing completion with preparations well underway for the centre to open its doors to clients early next year. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $3.8 million in Federal Government funding...
TRARALGON-MORWELL SHARED PATHWAY NEARS COMPLETION
The Traralgon-Morwell Shared Pathway is nearly finished with the final stages now under construction along Old Melbourne Road and Alexanders Road. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $1.6 million in Federal Government funding for the pathway project as...
CHESTER THANKS LOCALS FOR PATIENCE AS LAKES ENTRANCE ESPLANADE REDEVELOPMENT CONTINUES
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has thanked local motorists for their patience as the redevelopment of the Lakes Entrance Esplanade continues to disrupt traffic flows. Mr Chester said the multi-million dollar transformation would be worth the wait. “The...
ASSISTANCE FOR DROUGHT AFFECTED GIPPSLAND FARMERS
Drought affected farmers across Gippsland can now apply for an additional $3000 through the Federal Government’s extension of the Drought Community Support Initiative. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the initiative would help farming families with...
ONE GOOD COMMUNITY GRANT HELPS GIVE GIPPSLAND FARMERS A UNITED VOICE
A group of Gippsland farmers has set up an organisation to give the region’s farmers a united voice and enable them to better communicate. Farmers Voice aims to help East Gippsland farmers to better express their views and to raise and solve problems – within and...
CHESTER BACKS FLYNN COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO UPGRADE HALL
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is backing Flynn community efforts to upgrade the local hall. Mr Chester inspected the hall this week and agreed with locals that it’s time for some significant improvements. ”The Flynn Hall would’ve hosted plenty of good...
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR FORESTRY JOINS FIGHT AGAINST LOGGING BAN
Local MP Darren Chester is today hosting the Federal Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries as he meets timber industry representatives in Gippsland still reeling from the Andrews Government decision to halt all logging in native forests by 2030. Federal MP...
TIMBER INDUSTRY LEADERS UNITE IN BAIRNSDALE
Representatives from Gippsland’s native timber industry have agreed to fight for the future of the industry and are calling for an urgent meeting with the State Premier following a meeting in Bairnsdale today with local, state and federal government representatives....
UNITED FIGHT NEEDED FOR TIMBER INDUSTRY
Gippsland timber industry workers and business owners need to remain united to fight the Andrews Labor Government’s ban on native hardwood logging, according to Federal MP Darren Chester. The Member for Gippsland attended the annual Victorian Association of Forest...
RAIL TRAIL READY FOR RIDERS
A $100,000 upgrade of the East Gippsland Rail Trail has been completed in time for the busy summer holiday period thanks to a Federal Government grant. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has congratulated the rail trail committee for moving quickly to secure...
#LOVEGIPPSLAND CALENDAR COMPETITION WINNERS NAMED
An early morning captured at Bastion Point in Mallacoota has won the 2020 #lovegippsland calendar competition, organised by Federal MP Darren Chester. The winning photo, taken by Martin Ascher of Mallacoota, was chosen from more than 350 entries. Geoff Parrington from...
HARD AT WORK AT LAKES ENTRANCE RECREATION RESERVE
A $500,000 redevelopment of facilities at the Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve will deliver long term benefits for junior and senior sportspeople, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Mr Chester inspected progress on the new change rooms and was...
DROUGHT COMMUNITIES TO SHARE $200 MILLION
Drought-affected communities in Gippsland now have a chance to bid for a share of $200 million from the Federal Government to support infrastructure projects and community-building initiatives. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said round four of the...
A DROUGHT PACKAGE TO BACK GIPPSLAND
Drought-hit communities and farmers in Gippsland will get a significant boost from the Federal Government’s $709 million drought relief package. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the package was designed to support both Gippsland farmers and the surrounding...
STATEMENT ON DEATH OF KEVIN HOGAN
No-one has made a greater contribution to the Gippsland sporting community over the past 50 years than Kevin Hogan. An elite sportsman as a young man, Hoges was a journalist, photographer and broadcaster with a passion for all sports, but particularly the Sale...
ROSE GARDEN FESTIVAL TO ATTRACT HUGE CROWD
Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is predicting a ‘huge crowd’ will attend the 2019 Morwell International Rose Garden festival. The Local MP secured a $100,000 Federal Government grant to support the event on November 16-17 and says there will be activities and...
FUNDING TO TAKE GIPPSLAND START-UPS GLOBAL
Gippsland start-ups will have new opportunities to grow and expand into global markets thanks to Federal Government funding. Latrobe City Council is receiving $399,498 for its Startup Gippsland project to help regional founders turn their start-ups into global...
CHESTER WISHES YEAR 12 STUDENTS BEST OF LUCK
With end of year VCE exams approaching, Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is wishing all students completing their VCE the best of luck. Mr Chester said final school exams could be a very daunting time for students and it is important students feel...
GIPPSLAND PIES THE TOAST OF PARLIAMENT HOUSE
Locally made Four ‘n’ Twenty pies were the toast of Federal Parliament last week with a footy pie night hosted by Gippsland MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester welcomed Sydney Swans coach John Longmire and his team to Parliament House for the Swans on the Hill event. Mr...
CHESTER CALLS FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FINISH PRINCES HIGHWAY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he’s ‘given up’ on the State Government paying its share to finish the duplication of the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale and called on his Federal colleagues to ‘go it alone’. Mr Chester says he is worried...
WORK BEGINS ON LATROBE CREATIVE PRECINCT
Latrobe Valley residents will soon have a state-of-the-art performing arts centre after construction of the Latrobe Creative Precinct began this week. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the $38.5 million project will provide an exceptional facility for...
LOCAL SPORTING CHAMPIONS GRANTS NOW OPEN
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging young aspiring sportspeople to apply for the third round of the Local Sporting Champions Program. The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to aspiring young athletes, coaches and...
MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING FOR ROTARY CLUB OF TRARALGON
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has secured $22,440 from the Gippsland Primary Health Network to allow the Rotary Club of Traralgon and Lifeline to provide mental health training to members of the local community. Mr Chester wrote to the Gippsland Primary...
REGIONAL AIRPORT PROGRAM TAKES OFF
Gippsland Regional Airport owners and operators will soon be able to apply for funding for safety upgrades under the Federal Government’s $100 million Regional Airports Program. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said application guidelines were now...
IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR DROUGHT AFFECTED FARMERS
Drought affected farmers across Gippsland will have greater access to drought assistance with the Federal Government providing immediate support to help farming families and communities. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said $33.4 million has been made...
CHESTER VISITS KURNAI COLLEGE HANDS ON LEARNING HUT
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester visited the Hands On Learning Hut at Kurnai College recently to hear from students how the program has helped them achieve. “Not every student learns the same and this program teaches students skills that are useful...
AGSHOWS GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Show societies across Gippsland are encouraged to apply for the Federal Government’s Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants Program (AgShows) funding to upgrade, maintain, buy or build new showground infrastructure and attractions. Federal Member for Gippsland...