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HAVE A SAY ON HOW OUR COUNTRY KIDS ARE EDUCATED
Gippslanders with a stake in the education of local students now have a chance be part of a landmark review of education in regional, rural and remote areas. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today encouraged local teachers, parents, students,...
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FUNDING APPLICATION FOR MALLACOOTA
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he’s optimistic that a million dollar plan to redevelop recreation facilities at Mallacoota will receive additional Federal Government support. Mr Chester has previously met with local residents and is supportive of an...
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SCP DEADLINE LOOMS
Expressions of Interest must be lodged next week for round three of #lovegippsland Stronger Communities Program (SCP). Community groups can access Federal Government grants up to $20,000 for capital projects. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester encouraged...
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HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE NATIONAL SPORTS PLAN
Gippslanders are being encouraged to share their views about sport, including how it is funded and the available infrastructure, to help shape the National Sports Plan. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said it was important that people from Gippsland...
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GIPPSLAND REGIONAL EXECUTIVES FORUM
The Federal Government is making a once-in-a-generation investment in landmark infrastructure in Gippsland. That was the message this week for Gippsland business leaders who met The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester in Traralgon. Mr Chester, who is...
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$2.49M TO REDUCE FAMILY VIOLENCE IN EAST GIPPSLAND AND WELLINGTON
The Coalition Government will provide up to $2.49 million for a tailored project to address family violence experienced by Indigenous women and children in the East Gippsland and Wellington Shires. Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, and Member for...
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ELIMINATING A TRAFFIC BLACK SPOT IN BAIRNSDALE
A high-crash intersection near the commercial heart of Bairnsdale will soon be transformed. That’s thanks to $467,000 from the Federal Government’s Black Spot program to tackle stretches of road and intersections well-known for traffic accidents. Minister for...
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FRESH APPROACH TO SEASONAL WORK IN GIPPSLAND
A trial is now underway to encourage unemployed people to take up seasonal horticultural work to get experience and improve their skills. The Coalition Government’s Seasonal Work Incentives Trial offers a range of incentives for unemployed people to undertake seasonal...
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SCP GRANTS OPEN
Community groups can access Federal Government grants up to $20,000 for capital projects. Expressions of Interest are now open for the next round of the #lovegippsland Stronger Communities Program (SCP). Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester encouraged local...
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ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, MAFFRA
It was the first day back at school for students as well as local MP Darren Chester this week. Mr Chester visited Maffra St Mary’s first thing Monday morning after receiving a letter of invitation from year 3-4 class representative Jett McMahon. Mr Chester gave the...
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HELP FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS TO SAVE FOR A HOME
First home buyers in Gippsland are being encouraged to take advantage of a Federal Government scheme to help fast-track their saving for a house deposit. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today encouraged residents, including young people, planning to...
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A SUN SMART GIFT FOR SURF LIFE SAVERS AT WOODSIDE BEACH
Surf life savers at Woodside Beach will next summer have new hats to protect them from the sun’s harsh rays. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester this week presented a box of hats he has donated to the Woodside Beach Surf Life Saving Club to club...
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MORWELL MEMORIAL GARDEN TO HONOUR SERVICE PERSONNEL
A memorial garden honouring Morwell’s servicemen and women will be established in the grounds of the new Morwell Central Primary School. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today announced Morwell RSL Sub-branch would receive $2,400 from the Federal Government...
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NEW SECTION OF PRINCES HIGHWAY OPENS IN FULHAM
Smoother journey for east Victorian motorists as traffic in both directions switched onto two recently built westbound lanes at Fulham Fulham 2—one of nine sections being upgraded between Traralgon and Sale—will improve safety through wider medians when fully complete...
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SAFETY WARNING FOR OWNERS OF POLARIS YOUTH QUAD BIKES
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has urged owners of Polaris youth quad bikes to have their bikes checked urgently. Mr Chester said the youth quad bikes were subject to a Safety Warning Notice as some models may contain asbestos in brake pads, brake...
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CATCHING UP WITH TWO YOUNG HIGH FLYERS
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester was pleasantly surprised to run into two young women from his hometown of Sale in Queensland recently. Mr Chester had been in Toowoomba on ministerial business. On his departure, he was greeted by Leading Aircraftwoman...
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SUPPORTING YOUNGER VETERANS RETURNING TO CIVILIAN LIFE
Community and ex-service organisations can now apply for help to provide ongoing services and support for younger veterans. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Supporting Younger Veterans (SYV) grants program recognised the importance of the...
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$300,000 FOR A NEW MEDICAL CENTRE IN MALLACOOTA
Mallacoota will receive $300,000 in Federal Government funding to build a new medical centre. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today welcomed an announcement the Mallacoota Medical Centre was well on its way to having a new, modern home. “The Federal...
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$13,000 FOR NEW EQUIPMENT AT ORBOST MEDICAL CLINIC
Orbost Medical Clinic will receive more than $13,000 from the Federal Government to improve the diagnosis and treatment of its patients. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today welcomed an announcement the medical clinic would be able to buy...
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BIG CHANGES FOR SMALL BUSINESS
Small businesses in Gippsland are getting a welcome helping-hand to grow and thrive. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced paperwork will become simpler for business owners; and they will be able to immediately write-off new assets for...
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WELCOME SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEERS IN MORWELL
Volunteers at Morwell’s only tennis club have received a helping hand from the Federal Government. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester visited the club after the Morwell Tennis Club received funding to buy new kitchen equipment for its clubrooms. “The...
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HELP PLANT 20 MILLION TREES ACROSS OUR NATION
Twenty million trees will be planted across Australia – and everyone is invited to help out. Community groups, local organisations and individuals, including those with and without a green thumb, can embark on a tree planting project with financial help from the 20...
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STRONGER COMMUNITIES PROGRAM – GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS UP TO $20,000
Community groups across Gippsland can access Federal Government grants up to $20,000 for capital projects that improve community participation and strengthen communities. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said Gippsland had been allocated $150,000 to upgrade...
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GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR INNOVATIVE WASTE TO ENERGY PROJECT IN VICTORIA’S LATROBE VALLEY
An innovative project to convert household waste into energy at the Australian Paper mill in the Latrobe Valley has received backing from the Australian and Victorian Governments. • $2.5 million each from Australian and Victorian governments for waste to energy...
read moreCALLS TO REVIEW ANZ PROPOSED CLOSURE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called on the ANZ Bank to review its announced closure of the Yarram branch. “I am bitterly disappointed with this announcement, particularly given five local jobs will be gone from the town,” Mr Chester said. “Banking...
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STUDENT DOCTOR TRAINING IN THE LATROBE VALLEY
Gippsland regional training hub will be established in Traralgon to provide student doctors extra opportunities to study and work in regional areas as part of their specialist training. The Federal Government has announced funding of $1.2 million for the Traralgon...
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$15,000 FOR SALE RSL AND COMMUNITY CLUB’S ROOMS
The Sale RSL and Community Club will receive more than $15,000 in Federal Government funding to enhance its York Street clubrooms. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today announced the club would use the money secured under the Veteran and Community Grants...
read moreHEYFIELD TIMBER MILL JOBS MUST BE GUARANTEED
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the State Labor Government must guarantee all 250 jobs at the Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) mill in Heyfield. Today’s announcement that an in-principle agreement has been reached between government and...
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ORBOST ICT TEACHER
A familiar face popped up at Morwell Central Primary School this week. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester caught up with Hayley Mull (pictured centre) during one of his regular school visits. Ms Mull is a former Orbost student now teaching at Morwell...
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MORWELL CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL PYJAMA DAY
Having some fun before the holiday break, students at Morwell Central Primary School wore their pyjamas to school on Thursday to raise funds for cancer research. Unfortunately Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester did have to suit up for his school visit, as he...
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MORE SATELLITE DATA PROVIDED BY NBN
The Coalition Government has announced Sky Muster satellite users are expected to receive around 50 per cent more peak data and twice as much off-peak data from October. NBN Co will provide the extra data at no extra cost to retailers, although how the retailers...
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INTERNATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS DAY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester Darren Chester is encouraging locals to think about Putting Locals First and supporting local jobs today, on international small business day, and every other day of the year. Mr Chester is pictured with Judy Orchard from...
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SMALL BUSINESS THE BACKBONE OF COMMUNITY
Today is international small business day, celebrating the success and importance of small business and the role they play in supporting local communities. Officially called the ‘Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day’, the day focuses on enterprises with...
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IT’S CONFIRMED – GIPPSLAND LINE TO GET MUCH-NEEDED REGIONAL RAIL UPGRADES WITH $1.42b FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
A historic $530 million investment in the Gippsland Line has been secured as part of a $1.6 billion Victorian infrastructure commitment by the Turnbull-Joyce Coalition Government, Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced. Mr Chester, the Federal Minister for...
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PRELIMINARY WORK BEGINS ON ESPLANADE UPGRADE
Preliminary work is now underway on a project to improve road safety along the Lakes Entrance Esplanade. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said numerous black boxes used for traffic modelling had been spotted by locals along the roadside. “The presence...
read moreMORE MONEY FOR GIPPSLAND SCHOOLS
Every school in Gippsland will receive increased funding now that the Coalition Government’s new funding model for education has passed through Parliament. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the funding model reflected recommendations by the Gonski...
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ROSEDALE HIGHWAY INTERSECTION SET FOR MUCH-NEEDED FIX
A dangerous intersection in Rosedale that has seen trucks crash into the barrier surrounding the local pub on numerous occasions is set to be completely redesigned. Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said...
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A BRILLIANT START TO A PROMISING CAREER FOR LAKES LOCAL
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester ran into a familiar face while carrying out ministerial duties in Echuca recently. Mr Chester caught up with 23-year-old Jacquie James from Lakes Entrance, who is now a first year teaching graduate at St Joseph’s...
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EMPOWERING THE LATROBE VALLEY COMMUNITY THROUGH LITERACY
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is lending his support to an innovative, community-driven project designed to improve literacy outcomes in the Latrobe Valley. Mr Chester said Rhonda Renwick, the founder of a local philanthropic organisation Kindred...
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WELCOME BOOST TO AGED CARE PLACES IN WELLINGTON
More than $1.5 million each year has been allocated to provide 24 additional aged care places in Wellington Shire. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced the Federal Government funding would help enable elderly people needing a high level of...
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TACKLING ROAD SAFETY AT TOORLOO ARM
Rules Road at Toorloo Arm will receive $192,000 to boost safety for all road users. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced the road was one of four in East Gippsland to receive a funding under the Black Spot Program. “Gippsland will receive...
read morePERMANENT EMPLOYMENT FACILITATOR APPOINTED TO ASSIST RETRENCHED WORKERS IN LATROBE VALLEY
The Turnbull Government today announced that Mr Luke Arber has been appointed as the permanent Employment Facilitator for Gippsland to assist those affected by the closure of the Hazelwood Power Station. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said Mr Arber’s appointment...
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REGIONAL JOBS AND INVESTMENT PACKAGE FOR LATROBE VALLEY
Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash and Federal Members for Gippsland and McMillan, Darren Chester and Russell Broadbent, have announced the members of the Latrobe Valley Regional Jobs and Investment Packages (RJIP) Local Planning Committee today. $20...
read moreSTATEMENT FROM DARREN CHESTER ON HEYFIELD TIMBER MILL
Country people have had a gutful of being told what jobs they can and can’t have by city-based Labor and Greens politicians. It is not too late for the State Labor Government to give Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) mill in Heyfield the timber it needs to stay...
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THREE LOCAL MEN’S SHEDS RECEIVE A HELPING HAND
There’s a gentle hum of activity emanating from an unassuming shed on Desailly Street, Sale. Men of all ages come and go from the Sale Men’s Shed: it’s become an important place for men to meet and talk, and share their practical skills. The Nationals Member for...
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HAVE YOUR SAY ON HYLAND AND MONARO HIGHWAY UPGRADES
The Gippsland community has been invited to have its say on the upgrades of the Hyland and Monaro Highways. Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the feedback will provide valuable insights that will contribute to the upgrades of the...
read moreROSEDALE SPEEDWAY UPGRADE
A new toilet block at Rosedale Speedway will increase patronage and help the facility attract more events to the town. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has announced a $10,000 grant from the #lovegippsland Stronger Communities Program to assist the project....
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PRINCES HIGHWAY DUPLICATION PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION
Another important segment of the Princes Highway duplication between Traralgon and Sale is now well underway, bringing the $260 million project another step closer to completion. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today inspected progress on a 3.9...
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SINGERS REPRESENT THE VALLEY WITH PRIDE
Twenty-five singers from the Latrobe Valley Community Choir left for Melbourne today to perform at the Melbourne International Singers Festival Before they departed, The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester presented the choir’s president Mrs Tineke Westwood...
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IMPROVING SAFETY ON EAST GIPPSLAND ROADS
The Australian Government is delivering safer roads in East Gippsland, with $573,000 to fix the intersection at Service and Francis Streets, Bairnsdale. $573,000 to fix high risk intersection at Service and Francis Streets in Bairnsdale Australian Government committed...
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