Darren Chester MP's photostream

Darren Chester was elected to Federal Parliament on June 26, 2008, in a by-election, following the retirement of Hon Peter McGauran.

Darren (aged 43) lives with his wife Julie and their four children in Lakes Entrance.

Born and educated in Sale, Darren is the second of five children to Jim and Lois Chester. Jim was a plumber and second hand metals dealer in Sale until his death from cancer in 2007. Lois grew up on the Gell family property (Paradise Valley) near Glenmaggie and still lives in Sale.

Darren attended Guthridge Primary School and completed his secondary schooling at Sale High School where he was the inaugural winner of the Fitzpatrick Award for General Excellence and Joint Dux of the School in 1985.

Darren has worked as a newspaper and television journalist throughout Gippsland and THE Latrobe Valley. In recent years he has operated his own marketing consultancy based in Lakes Entrance and was the Chief Executive Officer of regional lobby group "Champions of the Bush".

Darren has served two terms as President of the Lakes Entrance Business Tourism Association (LEBTA) where he has been heavily involved in tourism marketing and helping to organise major events such as the annual fireworks display.

He led the community campaign to secure funding for better management of the sand problem at the entrance to the Gippsland Lakes and has been actively involved in projects to improve water quality in the region. Darren is a member of Watermark, a community-based group which is striving to improve the Gippsland Lakes environment.

When the rigours of public life permit, Darren is a keen sportsman who enjoys golf and runs marathons. Darren also umpires football matches in the East Gippsland Football League and assists as a volunteer with his children's junior sporting interests, including the Lakes Entrance Surf Lifesaving Club.

Prior to entering Federal Parliament, Darren was employed as Chief of Staff to Leader of The Nationals in Victoria, Peter Ryan.