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Darren Chester urges Gippslanders to take sun protection seriously as warmer weather arrives and skin cancer risks increaseDarren Chester urges Gippslanders to protect against skin cancer as summer approaches, promoting sun safety and shade infrastructure to reduce melanoma risks, with support from community organisations and clinicians. By news@gippsland - 28th November 2024 - Back to News Gippslanders are being urged to take sun protection more seriously as the warmer weather arrives and we spend more time outdoors. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness together with the Minister for Education, Jason Clare. 
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Advocacy Network (MSCAN) Founder and Director Tamara Dawson, and Parliamentary Friends of Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Co-Chairs, Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and Minister for Education Jason Clare Melanoma awareness advocacyMr Chester said, "Australia has the highest per capita rates of melanoma, and it's largely preventable if we take action to protect ourselves from the sun's harmful rays and build infrastructure that provides more shade in public places such as parks and playgrounds." "This week, the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Advocacy Network (MSCAN) hosted a barbecue at Parliament House, bringing together melanoma and skin cancer patients, community organisations, clinicians, researchers, industry, special guests, and 2024 Australians of the Year Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO." "The event showcased the important work that's underway by clinicians, researchers and community organisations across Australia to reduce the burden of the disease, with parliamentarians, including myself, undergoing skin checks and engaging in discussions on how best to protect our skin and reduce the risk of skin cancer," Mr Chester said. Sun safety reminderSkin cancer is Australia's national cancer, with overexposure to ultraviolet light causing 95% of melanomas. As we head into summer, when ultraviolet radiation is greatest, Mr Chester is urging Gippslanders to protect their skin by following the five Sun Safe Rules. "Slip on sun-protective clothing that covers your arms, legs, shoulders, and back. Slop on a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50+. Slap on a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face, head, neck, and ears. Seek shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. Slide on wrap-around sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard," Mr Chester said. Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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Erosion control works at Blue Rock Lake will protect 130 metres of foreshore track, ensure continued access, and support lake health, with community planting to restore native vegetation and fish habitat. - McIntosh Drive and Lake Guthridge footpath closed to protect Grey-headed Flying Foxes during extreme heat events
Wellington Shire Council will close McIntosh Drive and Lake Guthridge footpath to protect Grey-headed Flying Foxes during extreme heat, reducing stress, ensuring safety, and allowing wildlife carers to assist vulnerable bats. - Gippslander Scott Morris joins national bowel cancer advocacy push at Parliament House in Canberra
Bairnsdale Scott Morris joined Bowel Cancer Australia's Call on Canberra, sharing his stage four diagnosis to advocate for earlier screening, better treatment pathways, and urgent national action on rising early-onset bowel cancer rates. - West Gippsland Landcare awarded $337,250 to transform landscapes, protect species, and enhance community green spaces statewide
West Gippsland Landcare volunteers received $337,250 from 2025 Victorian Landcare Grants to restore landscapes, protect endangered species, enhance waterways, plant 30,000 trees, and engage communities in conservation projects. - Life Saving Victoria launches multilingual campaign to protect older adults around water, heat and rip currents
Life Saving Victoria has launched a multilingual campaign to help older adults, especially from multicultural communities, stay safe around water and during extreme heat across Victoria. - Tim Bull says kangaroo overpopulation devastates farms, with permits insufficient to protect crops and livelihoods
Gippsland farmers face severe crop damage from exploding kangaroo populations. MP Tim Bull urges urgent permit reforms to allow practical, case-by-case management, protecting livelihoods and ensuring ongoing food production. - East Gippsland Council endorses Coastal and Marine Management Plan to protect treasured coastline sustainably
East Gippsland Shire Council has endorsed the Coastal and Marine Management Plan, providing a coordinated framework to protect and sustainably manage coastal reserves with community, Traditional Owner, and stakeholder input. - Melina Bath condemns Labor for blocking protest bill and failing to protect police, businesses, and public safety
Labor, backed by the Greens and minor parties, blocked Nationals and Liberals legislation to ban protest face coverings, which Melina Bath said betrayed police, small businesses, and public safety across Victoria. - Melina Bath launches e-petition urging Labor to enforce gun laws properly and protect law-abiding firearm owners in Gippsland
Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath and firearm owner Ryan Weeratunge launch e-petition urging Labor to enforce existing gun laws, avoid rushed changes, and consult law-abiding owners to ensure community safety. - Coalition demands Albanese government regulate veterans’ advocacy sector after damning Senate committee report release
The Coalition urges urgent laws to regulate veterans’ advocacy, citing unethical practices, rising commercial providers, data risks, and unmet Royal Commission reforms to better protect vulnerable veterans and their families. - Tim Bull says locals and community groups want stronger enforcement as illegal campers leave areas unkempt
Tim Bull urges Environment Minister Dimopoulos to act on illegal campers along the Snowy River, balancing public access for tourists with enforcement and welfare oversight to protect local businesses. - East Gippsland Shire invites community feedback on draft Open Space Strategy to protect parks, reserves and waterways
East Gippsland Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Open Space Strategy, a long-term plan to improve parks, reserves, trails, and waterways, with consultation open until 1 October 2025. - Tim Bull encourages local groups to apply for grants supporting veterans, preserving war memorials and heritage by 3 February 2026
Tim Bull urges local organisations to apply by 3 February 2026 for grants supporting veterans and conserving war memorials and community heritage. - East Gippsland Council reminds pet owners to register pets, ensure safety, cleanliness, and enjoyable public spaces for everyone
East Gippsland Council urges pet owners to register animals, ensuring compliance, quick safe returns, and supporting responsible ownership for cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable community spaces. - Danny O’Brien said poor dental health is tied to cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications and mental health impacts
Gippslanders now face almost two-year waits for public dental care, with Danny O’Brien blaming a decade of Labor for doubled delays, escalating health risks and under-resourced regional clinics. - Tim Bull encourages Gippsland East communities to apply for Victorian government’s Tiny Towns Fund Grants until 4 February 2026
Tim Bull urges Gippsland East communities to apply for the Tiny Towns Fund, offering $5,000-$50,000 grants to support tourism, liveability, and local projects for towns under 5,000 residents. - Danny O’Brien calls for clarity on free children’s public transport amid Gippsland V/Line concerns
Danny O’Brien urges Labor to clarify free children’s public transport rollout, warning Gippsland families face confusion over youth myki requirements, online access, and unmanned V/Line stations from January 2026. - Melina Bath criticises Labor’s digital-only licence system, calling it discriminatory and locking out hunters lacking internet access
Melina Bath urges Minister Dimopoulos to reinstate paper-based licence renewals, ensuring hunters aren’t excluded and focusing on hunting competency over digital skills - 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 encourages increased funding for regional palliative care, ensuring dignity and support statewide
Melina Bath warned underfunded regional palliative care forces terminally ill Victorians into hospitals instead of home, calling for urgent investment to ensure dignity, support, and equal access across eastern Victoria. - East Gippsland residents urged to foster dogs as Animal Aid Bairnsdale faces unprecedented influx and resource strain
Animal Aid Bairnsdale urges East Gippsland residents to foster dogs as rising numbers strain shelter capacity. Support, resources, and costs are provided, ensuring dogs receive safety, love, and a chance at adoption. - Latrobe City outdoor pools set to reopen for summer with weather-based opening days ahead
Latrobe City’s outdoor pools reopen 29 November, operating on days forecast at 25 degrees celsius. Moe and Yallourn North offer family-friendly facilities, with Yallourn North free. Council highlights community enjoyment and water-safety benefits. - Six-year Thurra River campground closure triggers renewed demands for urgent government action before summer
Tim Bull says East Gippslanders face another summer without Thurra River’s main campground, urging the Minister to expedite long-delayed approvals after six years, stressing local businesses rely on its reopening. - Bass Coast Council adopts 2026 - 2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan to support responsible pet ownership and wildlife protection
Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its 2026 - 2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan, promoting responsible pet ownership, wildlife protection, and safer shared spaces shaped by extensive community consultation and environmental stewardship goals. - Tim Bull warns Victorian government policies leave record fuel loads, risking another mega-fire
Tim Bull warns Victorian government’s reduced fuel reduction policies and record bushfire fuel loads are creating conditions for another mega-fire, urging urgent action to protect communities and support firefighters’ efforts. - 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. - Melina Bath warns rising crime under Labor threatens community safety, as offences increase, calling for stronger police support and tougher laws
Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath warns crime rose 12.7% to 640,860 under Labor, with reduced police funding and station hours leaving Victorians unsafe, calling for stronger laws and police support.
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