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
Melina Bath slams Labor for underfunding fire preparedness and using treasurers advances to dodge scrutiny
Thirty-six new Australians welcomed in Bairnsdale ceremony celebrating East Gippsland's growing cultural diversity and community
Understanding groundwater and managing a vital resource wisely during dry conditions in Southern Victoria
Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot held on Wednesday 11 June 2025
Gippsland V/Line passengers short-changed as government refuses full bus replacement to Southern Cross Station
Unlit East Gippsland intersections spark safety fears as locals demand action on incomplete road upgrades
Lakes Entrance, Paynesville, and Marlo announced as finalists in the Top Tourism Town Awards cast your votes by 27 June 2025
Latrobe City Council recognised by Local Government Professionals (LGPro) for disaster readiness and recovery
Tim Bull calls for Benambra to be included in top-level drought support amid ongoing hardship
