Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Dig Deep For Chapman Children: NortheThe Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe has praised the generosity of a Traralgon couple whose donation could have life-saving ramifications. By Russell Northe - 24th November 2009 - Back to News Traralgon Hungry Jacks owners Jim and Tammy Fkiaras this week handed over a $6,000 cheque to Yinnar couple Joel and Sue Chapman.
Mr Northe said the Chapmans were on a life-changing quest to help their three children Kelly and twins Emily and Katelyn, all of whom were born with the rare glycogen storage disease (GSD).
"This money could be life saving for Joel and Sue’s children," Mr Northe said.
"The family are desperately trying to raise enough money to fly to the United States next year to see Dr David Weinstein, a renowned paediatrician who specialises in GSD.
"The disease is so rare that just 12 cases that have been diagnosed in Australia and very little is known about it.
"If Joel and Sue can raise the funds, they believe Dr Weinstein might be able to prescribe a program to make life a little bit easier for their beautiful young girls."
Mr Northe is urging other Latrobe Valley residents to dig deep to help the couple.
"Our community has the power to make an enormous difference to this young family’s life," Mr Northe said.
"Bendigo Bank has been kind enough to set up a trust fund on behalf of the Chapmans.
"Anyone wanting to donate can visit a Bendigo Bank branch and deposit money in the Chapman Family Fund.
"All donations over $2 are tax deductible and the bank will provide a tax invoice."
Mr Northe said the strain of providing around the clock care had become so great that Joel had given up work.
"The girls’ blood sugar levels need to be tested every two hours and they need to be fed every three hours, 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Mr Northe said.
"The family has no immediate relatives in the area, which makes the demands of the disease even more stressful.
"Any money received through the trust will go a long way to relieving the enormous stress the couple are under."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- South Gippsland farmers dig into practical carbon farming at Down to Earth field day
Thirty-five South Gippsland farmers explored carbon farming at Malabar Farm, learning practical ways to improve soil health, reduce emissions, and farm sustainably while sharing knowledge with peers. - East Gippsland children share ideas, hopes, and concerns to shape community and celebrate local voices through MFEG project
Nearly 800 East Gippsland children shared ideas and concerns through the MFEG project, highlighting community connection, recreation, environment, and social care, with postcards now displayed across local towns. - Life Saving Victoria urges parents to continue children’s swimming lessons to meet water safety benchmarks and prevent drowning risks
Life Saving Victoria warns many children to stop swimming lessons early, falling short of water safety benchmarks, urging parents to continue lessons to ensure skills, safety, and survival in pools and open water. - Life Saving Victoria urges parents to continue children’s swimming lessons to meet water safety benchmarks and prevent drowning risks
Life Saving Victoria warns many children to stop swimming lessons early, falling short of water safety benchmarks, urging parents to continue lessons to ensure skills, safety, and survival in pools and open water. - Nationals urge government to address wine industry crisis, converting excess wine into ethanol to support fuel supply and struggling growers
The Nationals urge urgent action on Australia’s wine oversupply crisis, proposing surplus stock be converted to ethanol to support fuel supply and assist struggling growers facing mounting financial pressure. - Nationals pledge to restore Parentline funding, criticise Labor's decision to axe vital family counselling service for Gippslanders
The Nationals vow to reinstate Parentline funding if elected, condemning Labor's cut to the vital family counselling service that supports Victorian parents, particularly in regional communities facing limited access to services. - Nationals and Liberals propose tougher penalties to protect war memorials and historic sites from vandalism and desecration
A Nationals and Liberal government would introduce tougher laws to protect war memorials and historic sites, imposing up to 10 years’ jail for vandalism and desecration. - Nationals demand urgent Tourism Ministers meeting and interest-free loans for regional operators amid fuel crisis impact
The Nationals are urging an urgent ministerial meeting and interest-free loans for regional tourism operators hit by the fuel crisis, warning of falling bookings, cancellations, job losses, and declining confidence. - The Nationals pledge fair infrastructure funding for Gippsland, addressing regional Victoria’s ongoing underinvestment gap
The Nationals have pledged to secure Gippsland a fair share of infrastructure funding, arguing regional Victoria is underfunded compared to its population and deserves greater investment in key services. - The Nationals demand an immediate election over Labor’s new tax changes, calling them a mandate-less, harmful assault on Australians
The Nationals demand an immediate election, accusing Labor of introducing major tax changes without a mandate and harming Australians. - The Nationals pledge to scrap VNI West by ending Labor’s net zero agenda and renewable rollout
The Nationals say they will stop VNI West by scrapping Labor’s net zero agenda, arguing the transmission project threatens farmland, food security, regional communities and affordable electricity across Victoria. - Baw Baw Council partners with Red Cross to teach local children disaster preparedness through Resilient Kids workshops
Baw Baw Council and Red Cross are delivering Resilient Kids workshops in local schools, teaching children emergency preparedness, 000 calls, coping skills, and creating take-home emergency kits throughout 2026. - East Gippsland Libraries join Big Summer Read, inspiring children to read, build literacy, and combat the ‘summer slide’
This summer, East Gippsland Libraries join the Big Summer Read, encouraging children aged 0-18 to read, build literacy skills, earn badges, and stay engaged while combating the "summer slide." - Baw Baw Shire Council hosts free Pop-up Playgroups for children on various dates from 30 October to 12 December 2025
Baw Baw Shire invites families to free Pop-up Playgroups with themed activities, crafts, music, storytime, and outdoor fun for children aged 0 - 5, fostering connection, learning, and community engagement. - Danny O’Brien says Nationals and Liberals’ plan cuts waste, taxes and boosts regional investment
Danny O’Brien says Nationals and Liberals’ economic plan aims to cut waste, reduce taxes, ease cost pressures and restore investment in Gippsland services and infrastructure. - Darren Chester elected Nationals Deputy Leader, pledges stronger voice for regional Australia and Gippsland communities
Darren Chester has been elected Deputy Leader of The Nationals, serving with leader Matt Canavan, pledging to strengthen regional voices and advocate for Gippsland and rural Australians in Canberra. - Danny O’Brien thanks Gippsland community for generosity supporting foster children’s Christmas Giving Tree appeal
Danny O’Brien thanked Gippslanders for their generosity in supporting the Giving Tree appeal, helping ensure foster children receive Christmas gifts and feel remembered, valued, and cared for this holiday season. - Melina Bath said The Nationals will continue standing with regional Victorians and sporting shooting community
Common sense has prevailed after proposals to cap firearm numbers per licence were scrapped, with Danny O’Brien crediting strong advocacy from law-abiding owners, sporting clubs and shooting organisations across Victoria wide support. - Morwell Gun Club unveils world-class olympic trap shooting upgrades, boosting training, competition and accessibility
Morwell Gun Club completed major upgrades under the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, including new Olympic trap ranges, lighting, shelters and facilities, boosting training, accessibility, local jobs and Gippsland’s sporting opportunities. - Morwell River Ward Councillor Tracie Lund resigns, prompting Latrobe City by-election and community engagement process
Morwell River Ward Councillor Tracie Lund has resigned from Latrobe City Council. A by-election will be held, with the VEC managing nominations and voting to fill the vacancy. - Labor government's VicGrid laws pass with crossbench backing amid Nationals' warning of property rights erosion
The Allan government's VicGrid laws passed with crossbench support, sparking Nationals' criticism over lost property rights, silenced regional voices, and overreach. The Nationals vow repeal in 2026 to restore landholder protections. - Darren Chester supports reforming the Coalition to unite Liberals and Nationals and deliver stronger government for Australia
Darren Chester welcomes the re-formed Coalition, united to hold Labor to account, focus on cost of living, families, regions and security, and develop sensible policies for a safer, stronger, fairer Australia. - Latrobe City welcomes proposed $10B Morwell data centre boosting economy, jobs, and industry
Latrobe City Council welcomes Keppel’s proposed $10 billion Morwell data centre, Australia’s largest, leveraging existing energy infrastructure to create jobs, support workforce transition, and drive long-term economic and industrial growth. - Martin Cameron criticises Labor government over delayed Morwell sobering-up facility, broken promises and lack of ministerial accountability
Martin Cameron criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to deliver the promised Morwell sobering-up facility, ignoring repeated parliamentary questions, leaving the Latrobe Valley without adequate public intoxication support. - Gippsland welcomes $50M Renewable Energy TAFE Centre in Morwell, boosting jobs and regional transition to renewable energy future
One Gippsland welcomes $50 million investment in Morwell Renewable Energy TAFE Centre, boosting workforce training and supporting Gippsland’s clean energy transition and future job growth. - Darren Chester celebrates Community College Gippsland’s new Morwell Facility supporting education and regional workforce development
Darren Chester welcomed Community College Gippsland’s new Morwell facility, celebrating its role in empowering students, supporting vocational education, and strengthening Gippsland’s workforce and regional communities. - Wellington Early Years Expo returns, offering free family fun, services and play-based activities for young children on 30 April 2026
The 2026 Wellington Early Years Expo returns to the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex in Sale on Thursday 30 April inviting families to enjoy an afternoon of learning and connection for children aged 0–5 years.
|
|
