Men living in the Northern Victoria Region are encouraged to join the Brumby Labor Government in getting together to build or renovate a shed in their local area that will build connections within their community.
Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad has encouraged men living in the region to apply for funding as part of the Brumby Labor Government’s $2 million Men’s Shed grant program.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to help people better connect with their neighbourhoods, to build stronger families and stronger communities,’’ Ms Broad said.
“Men’s Sheds provide a relaxed place for men to make new friends, talk things over, learn new skills and get involved in their local community, with great benefits to their individual health and well being, as well as the community.
“After building a Men’s Shed, those involved change their focus to building items for the local community, whether that be a park bench for a local park or a cubby house for a local kinder,‘’ Ms Broad said.
Senior Victorians Minister Lisa Neville launched the 2009 Men’s Sheds grant program saying sheds not only had practical benefits to the local community.
“As well as giving older men somewhere to get together and work, men’s sheds can link men to information and services for a range of health and well being related issues - which they often don’t actively seek out themselves,’’ Ms Neville said.
Last year the Brumby Labor Government funded the establishment of 25 new Men’s Sheds.
“Victoria led the nation by being the first government to provide specific funding for the establishment of the sheds,’’ Ms Neville said.
The Brumby Labor Government has invested $2 million over four years in the Men’s Shed grant program as part of the $1 billion Fairer Victoria initiative; a whole of Government social policy action plan to address disadvantage and promote inclusion and participation.
For more information or to apply for the Men’s Sheds grants, please visit www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au Applications close on May 22.