Men of all ages and abilities in Inglewood and Bridgewater have a new place to get together with today’s opening of the $67,000 Men’s Shed.
Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad officially opened the shed in Hospital Street and paid tribute to the local people and organisations who pulled together to bring their vision to life.
“In changing times local men are keen to make a real and practical contribution to their community and the Inglewood and Bridgewater Men’s Shed will help them do just that," Ms Broad said.
“The Brumby Labor Government was pleased to be able to provide $50,000 to help build this new facility because we know that Men’s Sheds are a great way to get men active in their community.
“I am particularly impressed with the strong support for the shed by many local community organisations, because it shows how committed the community is to improving the health and wellbeing of local people.
“The location of the shed, at the Inglewood and District Health Service, is ideal as it allows easy access to other health and wellbeing services and provides lots of opportunities for social occasions with the broader community.
“I thank everyone involved in bringing this great community facility to life,” she said.
In addition to the $50,000 Men’s Shed grant from the Brumby Labor Government, funding was provided by the Inglewood and District Health Service, the Helen McPherson Smith Trust, Bendigo Community Bank and the Loddon Shire Council.
Ms Broad said the Men’s Sheds grant program is one way the Brumby Labor Government is making sure Victorians get the local facilities and services they need the most.
“These sheds provide a relaxed place for men to make new friends, talk things over, learn new skills and get involved in their local community, which has great benefits for their individual health and well being,” Ms Broad said.
“By involving men in local community projects – such as making benches for public parks, or building cubby houses for the local kindergarten – Men’s Sheds also provide practical benefits for the wider community.
“As well as giving older men somewhere to get together and work on worthwhile projects, men’s sheds can link them to information and services for a range of health and well being related issues – which they often don’t actively seek out themselves,” she said.
The Brumby Labor Government has invested $4.5 million over four years in the Men’s Sheds program and has already provided grants to 76 Men’s Sheds in three rounds of funding across Victoria.
For more information or to apply for the Men’s Sheds grants, please visit www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au.