Gippsland › Latest news › Darren Chester MP
Darren Chester backs Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House redevelopment with multi-million dollar to enhance East Gippsland
Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, praises dedicated volunteers at Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House, highlighting their essential services, fundraising efforts, and the need for government support for a $6 million redevelopment project.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is supporting a multi-million dollar bid to redevelop facilities at Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House. Mr Chester met this week with CEO Leanne Jennings and her team of volunteers who provide a wide range of services for hundreds of East Gippslanders every week. "The hard working volunteers do an incredible amount of work to support locals who may be struggling with the cost of living and need access to food or other services," Mr Chester said.
Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House CEO Leanne Jennings, Board Chairperson Simon Watson and Federal MP Darren Chester
Revitalising neighbourhood house
Mr Chester said, "In addition to emergency assistance, the Neighbourhood House hosts lunch gatherings and prepares nutritious meals on wheels dishes for clients in the high country, along with a variety of other programs.
"It's a valuable service that governments wouldn't be able to provide if they had to pay for all of the hours of voluntary effort. Now we need all levels of government to get on board with the redevelopment plan for the facilities which are not meeting modern standards and need replacement," he said.
Fundraising achievement
Mr Chester said he was impressed that Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House had undertaken its own fundraising efforts and also secured a $500,000 donation from highly respected local business identity John Dahlsen.
"It's a great start but government help is needed. The estimated cost for the redevelopment is more than $6 million and I'm keen to work with all levels of government to secure grant funding to get this project done."
"It's a credit to Leanne Jennings, the board members and volunteers that they achieve so much in such a confined space at the moment. Demand for services is growing and we need to help build a new home for our Neighbourhood House in Bairnsdale," Mr Chester said.
Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
Baw Baw Shire Council welcomes Victorian government grants aiding Noojee transition from timber harvestingDarren Chester calls for stop to rural health merger citing risks to Gippsland services due to lack of consultation, secrecy and autonomy loss
Nicholson Primary School students get chance to discuss Parliament while receiving certificates from Darren Chester
Russell Broadbent urges government budget accountability to alleviate cost-of-living pressure to tackle inflation and alleviate cost-of-living pressures following the Reserve Bank decision
Senators to reject Fresh food tax after report reveals lack of clarity and adverse impact on farmers and families
ACV/GARDS gets $560K for Gippsland asbestos victims and additional $19.3M for asbestos removal from Victorian Labor government
AstraZeneca admission of blood clot risks prompts concerns about misinformation in Australian push for COVID-19 vaccinations
Baw Baw Shire Council continues advocacy for key unfunded projects despite limited aid from 2024/25 Victorian State Budget
Darren Chester presses for federal backing on proposed roundabout on Maffra-Sale Rd intersection to complete partial funded from Victorian government
Nationals push for ban on telemarketing and door-knocking of Victorian Energy Upgrade scheme in Latrobe Valley