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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...
WORKS CONTINUING TO IMPROVE SAFETY OF PRINCES HIGHWAY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says Princes Highway works east of Orbost will help to improve road safety and boost the visitor economy. Mr Chester has secured a mix of Federal and State Government funding to build the overtaking lanes, widened road...
NATIONAL AMPUTEE AWARENESS WEEK
Every year, approximately 10,000 Australians lose a limb as a result of diabetes, cancer, trauma or infection. October 4-11 is National Amputee Awareness Week and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging everyone to take some time to learn more about...
NEW WEATHER AND CLIMATE GUIDE TO HELP FARMERS MAKE IMPORTANT DECISIONS
Farmers in East Gippsland can now see how the weather patterns and climate risks are changing in the region, thanks to the Regional Weather and Climate Guide by the Bureau of Meteorology, FarmLink and CSIRO. Climate guides are designed to help farmers make sound...
ANGEL GOWNS NEEDS A HOME.
The ever growing demand and need for Angel Gowns has turned Julie Lumsden’s home into a packaging facility. Angel Gowns for Australian Angel Babies Inc is a volunteer organisation that turns wedding dresses into garments for children under 18 months who have passed...
WORK BEGINS FOR LAKES ENTRANCE RECREATION RESERVE PAVILION AND CHANGE ROOMS
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said it was great to see work well advanced on the Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve pavilion and change rooms. “These upgrades will cater for the growing number of females involved in the Lakes Entrance Football Netball...
LATROBE VALLEY RESIDENT MAKES AN IMPACT THROUGH THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging young Gippslanders to consider a career in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), after catching up with a former Moe resident in Timor-Leste. Mr Chester said the wide range of career opportunities in the ADF...
INTERFET 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS BRINGS BACK RAAF BASE EAST SALE PERSONNEL
RAAF Base East Sale personnel Neil Foate and Philip Beanland deployed to Timor-Leste as part of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET) 20 years ago. This week they returned with Gippsland MP and Minister for Veterans Darren Chester, as part of the 20th...
OFFICIAL OPENING OF TRARALGON WEST SPORTING COMPLEX
The Traralgon West Sporting Complex was officially opened today after the completion of the first floor fit out. Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester attended the opening and viewed the completed facilities which will cater for over 300 participants each year....
GIPPSLAND’S PRIORITIES TAKEN TO CANBERRA
A group of Gippsland community leaders were in Canberra this week to lobby for key infrastructure projects. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack met with the One Gippsland delegation, which included representatives...
HOPE CENTRE TAKING SHAPE
The Hope Restart centre near Bairnsdale is taking shape with construction well underway on the 3,000 square metre building. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $3.8 million to help build the residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre. Mr...
SNOWY RIVER TRESTLE BRIDGE RESTORATION A TOP PRIORITY
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says he’s determined to secure the money required to restore the historic Snowy River railway trestle bridge ‘come hell or high water’. Mr Chester has welcomed the release of the Economic and Social Assessment which...
NEW LAWS TO PROTECT GIPPSLAND FARMERS
Tough new farm trespass laws to protect Australia’s farmers from the unlawful actions of animal activists have passed the Australian Parliament. Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill was about putting...
COUNCIL URGED TO KEEP MANAGEMENT OF BULLOCK ISLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has asked East Gippsland Shire Council (EGSC) to urgently reconsider its decision to not take over the management of Bullock Island in Lakes Entrance. Mr Chester said he was ‘disappointed and surprised’ by Council’s split...
ESPLANADE UPGRADE TAKES ANOTHER STEP FORWARD
The multi-million dollar upgrade of the Esplanade in Lakes Entrance has taken another step forward with the completion of the latest stage of Princes Highway works. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured the mix of Federal and State funding for the works...
CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR LAKES ENTRANCE
Local MP Darren Chester has welcomed East Gippsland Shire’s commitment to complete the first stage of the Jemmy’s Point lookout redevelopment by Christmas. Council has released concept plans for the Hotel Rd site and plans to deliver a vastly improved viewing platform...
INVESTMENT NEEDED TO IMPROVE FACILITIES ON PUBLIC LAND IN EAST GIPPSLAND
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says a multi-million dollar investment is needed from all levels of government to improve facilities on public land in East Gippsland and improve the visitor economy. Mr Chester met with Secretary of the Orbost Chamber of...
SAFER JOURNEY ON THE PRINCES HIGHWAY EAST OF BAIRNSDALE
The Princes Highway has been made safer for the thousands of people travelling between Bairnsdale and Nowa Nowa each day with a major package of upgrades now complete. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael...
LAKES ENTRANCE CHANGEROOMS UNDERWAY
Work has started on the long-awaited Lakes Entrance Football Netball Club changeroom project. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured a grant of nearly $360,000 for Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve. Mr Chester said the current facilities at the Lakes...
CHESTER PAYS TRIBUTE TO LOCAL VETERAN COMMUNITY AT SERVICE IN SALE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has paid tribute to the local veteran community during a commemorative service in Sale to recognise Vietnam Veterans Day. Mr Chester, who is also the Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel congratulated the Sale RSL for...
Chester catches up with Melbourne Vixens Lara Dunkley in Morwell
Gippsland MP Darren Chester caught up with Melbourne Vixens rising star Lara Dunkley at the Worksafe Game of the Month in Morwell on Saturday night. The 24-year-old former Yarram resident and Sale FNC player was one of the guest speakers at the pre-match event which...
ONE WEEK LEFT FOR INDIGENOUS STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR THE WEX PROGRAM
Indigenous students from across Gippsland are encouraged to apply to participate in the annual Work Exposure in Government (WEX) program. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said there was just one week left to apply and encouraged Indigenous students to...
HAVE A SAY ON THE HARVEST LABOUR SERVICES CONSULTATION
Local farmers, the horticulture industry and stakeholders can now have their say on the Harvest Labour Services (HLS) – Reforms to encourage Australia job seekers to take up seasonal work consultation paper. The consultation paper provides stakeholders the opportunity...
LAKES ENTRANCE FORESHORE UPGRADE TAKING SHAPE
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the multi-million upgrade of the Lakes Entrance foreshore is starting to take shape and will be welcomed by visitors and locals alike. Mr Chester inspected progress on the latest section of shared pathway to be...
NEW LEARNING AREAS FOR STUDENTS AT CATHOLIC COLLEGE
Secondary school students at Catholic College Sale will benefit from newly renovated learning areas and a new administration area, including a lift, with the official opening today. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $2 million from the Federal...
STATE GOVT INSULTS GIPPSLANDERS WITH PRINCES HIGHWAY RESPONSE
The State Government has been accused of ‘insulting Gippslanders’ with a ‘pathetic response’ to requests to finish the Princes Highway duplication projects between Traralgon and Sale. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has today released a letter from the...
ROSEDALE’S REVITALISATION PROJECT COMPLETE
A $1.5 million facelift of Rosedale is now complete, including streetscape improvements and upgrades to Willow Park, with the official opening today. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $1 million in Federal Government funding towards the project to...
CHESTER ATTENDS COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE FOR NAVY PERSONNEL
Federal Member for Gippsland and Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester says Australians need to learn more about the positive nature of defence service. Speaking at a commemorative event in Bairnsdale this morning, Mr Chester said there was a lack of...
#LOVEGIPPSLAND STRONGER COMMUNITIES GRANTS PROGRAM
Community groups across Gippsland can access Federal Government grants to purchase equipment and build small infrastructure projects in Gippsland. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said $150,000 has been allocated to upgrade community infrastructure through...
MEDICATIONS FOR BRAIN TUMOURS, LEUKAEMIA AND INFLAMMATORY DISEASE LISTED ON THE PBS
Seriously ill Gippslanders are set to benefit as four new medicines will be subsidised by the Federal Government to help patients fighting aggressive forms of cancer and inflammatory conditions. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said treatments for brain...