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Government Supports Driffield Community Memorial

• Regional Growth Fund provides $10,400 for $18,800 Remembering Driffield Interpretation Project • Memorial will commemorate 110 years of the former Driffield township.

By Russell Northe - 12th September 2014 - Back to News

„h Intention to encourage other Latrobe Valley communities to share their history.

The Victorian Coalition Government is investing $10,400 from the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund in a memorial to commemorate the history of the township of Driffield, Member for Morwell Russell Northe announced today.

¡§The aim of the Remembering Driffield Interpretation project is to create an informative and attractive historical display to be located on a prominent roadside reserve near Yinnar, beside the Strzelecki Highway, which overlooks the original location of the township,¡¨ Mr Northe said.

¡§It will fit out a shelter built in 2009 by the Latrobe City Council with interpretative plaques, a memory wall recording recollections of former residents, and a compass designating locations of former key community facilities.

¡§The memorial will capture the contributions of the Driffield Community to the Latrobe Valley and record a case study of the complete removal of a town to enable power generation for Victoria.

¡§The memorial display will tell the stories of the vibrant community of Driffield over more than 110 years.

¡§It will record the contributions the Driffield community made to the development of the Latrobe Valley, from its initial settlement to its removal to enable the expansion of coal mining for electricity production.

¡§Descendants of Driffield pioneering families living throughout Gippsland and beyond have met together to share memories and memorabilia for this project.

¡§They will continue to be consulted throughout the memorial¡¦s design and implementation, which is expected to be completed by March 2015.¡¨

Mr Northe said the audience for the project was diverse, including all communities in the Latrobe Valley and those along the Strzelecki Highway, such as Mirboo North and Leongatha, plus tourists visiting the region.

¡§Telling the story of Driffield is also intended to encourage other communities to initiate projects that commemorate and share their local history,¡¨ Mr Northe said.

Mr Northe said Victorian Government funding towards the $18,800 Remembering Driffeild Interpretation project would be provided through the Regional Growth Fund to Latrobe City Council, which would contribute $5,000, with the balance of funds and in-kind support provided by Yinnar and District Community Association and the Mirboo North and District Community Bank.

¡§The Regional Growth Fund is investing in community-led projects to strategically drive jobs, investment and innovation in rural and regional Victoria,¡¨ Mr Northe said.

russell.northe@parliament.vic.gov.au www.russellnorthe.com.au 66 George St, Morwell VIC 3840 ph 03 5133 9088 fax 03 5133 9388

¡§Since it was established in 2011, the Regional Growth Fund has delivered almost $430 million, generating over $1.7 billion of total investment across 1500 projects.¡¨

Mr Northe said in Latrobe City, the Regional Growth Fund had provided $17.2 million to 67 projects, leveraging $61.3 million in total investment. These projects including $800,000 towards the construction Gippsland Plains Rail Trail ¡V Traralgon ¡V Glengarry project

In addition the Coalition Government has also provided the following funding to the Yinnar Community:

„h $80,700 for Yinnar¡¦s Art Resource Collective for renovations

„h $80,000 towards the development of the Yinnar Skate Park

The project is expected to be completed in March 2015.

Media contact: 5133 9088

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Katie Noonan brings her intimate Alone But All One tour to Cowes’ Berninneit October 10, with interview opportunities September 23 and ticket giveaways available for audiences through Gippsland.com.
• The Nationals warn visa delays threaten harvest workforce, food supply and regional farmers already facing mounting pressures
  The Nationals warn visa delays are threatening critical harvest and agricultural workforces, urging Labor to provide certainty, faster approvals and migration settings supporting farmers, regional communities and food supply.
• Moe Inline Hockey Championships secure five-year council funding, expected to boost $15M into local economy through visitor spending
  Latrobe City Council will provide $100,000 over five years to support Moe’s Australian Inline Hockey Club Championships, expected to generate $15 million locally through visitor spending and accommodation.
• Maryvale Recreation Reserve redevelopment delivers upgraded sporting facilities, accessibility and community infrastructure
  Maryvale Recreation Reserve has undergone a $1.39 million redevelopment, delivering accessible cricket facilities, upgraded amenities, improved drainage, resurfacing and safety improvements through state government and Latrobe City Council funding.
• Have your say on the Planning Scheme Amendment C161egip - Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (Revised) to unlock growth until 21 September 2026
  East Gippsland Shire Council is simplifying planning controls in Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area, aiming to unlock housing growth, reduce red tape and support development over the next 30-plus years.
• East Gippsland Landcare Groups recognised at Victorian Awards celebrating 40 Years of environmental stewardship and community conservation efforts
  East Gippsland Landcare groups Moogji Aboriginal Council and FEVL received the First Nations Landcare Collaboration Award, while Romawi Landcare was highly commended for innovation and its ongoing conservation efforts.
• The Nationals unveil $40M plan offering health workers incentives to fill critical regional jobs across Gippsland and Victoria
  The Nationals propose $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, offering eligible regional health workers up to $10,000 for relocation, accommodation and professional development.
• Gippsland students impress Darren Chester with their understanding of Australian democracy and government
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester praised St Mary’s Primary School Maffra students for their strong understanding of Australian democracy, Parliament and government during a recent civics visit and discussion.
• Nationals and Liberals unveil $40M plan to strengthen Gippsland's regional health workforce and services
  The Nationals and Liberals propose a $40 million rural health workforce scheme, offering incentives up to $10,000 for relocation and accommodation to attract healthcare professionals to regional Victoria.
• Bass Coast businesses celebrated at 2026 Business Awards, recognising excellence and community contribution
  The 2026 Bass Coast Business Awards celebrated local business excellence, with Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling & Entertainment Centre named Business of the Year after winning four awards.
• Darren Chester demands urgent Labor investment to fix dangerous Princes Highway and Gippsland arterial roads
  Darren Chester urged Labor governments to urgently fund Gippsland roads, citing dangerous conditions, poor maintenance and reduced investment while highlighting previous Coalition funding for highway and arterial road upgrades.