Friday, 29 June 2018

The Andrews Labor Government is helping more men be social, create and support their local communities with the opening of two newly refurbished Men’s Sheds.

Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos was in Gippsland today to open the Meeniyan and Wonthaggi Woodcrafters Men’s Sheds – both which have undergone significant renovations to better serve their local shedders.

The investments – $30,000 for the Meeniyan shed and $27,589 for the Wonthaggi shed – have been used to enhance the purpose-built facilities and ensure they can continue supporting both shedders and the broader community.

Men’s sheds are safe and productive spaces for men to work on common projects, form friendships and give back to their community, with more than 360 sheds in Victoria. Around 15,000 Victorians attend a shed each day.

Each year, the Government provides $1 million to support men’s sheds in Victoria, which includes $114,000 to the Victorian Men’s Shed Association.

This has helped create and upgrade 70 sheds since November 2014.

In Meeniyan, shedders recently built aluminium ‘ghost horses’ along the railway track to mark one of the last points of embarkment for WWI diggers.

The Wonthaggi Men’s Shed boasts 77 members, including two award-winning wood turners – including one 94-year-old – who have both won first prize at the Australian Woodturning Exhibition.

This year’s Men’s Shed grant round – with $885,000 up for grabs – has an emphasis on supporting Aboriginal men and those from regional areas.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos

“Men’s sheds are a wonderful part of the Victorian community – and we’re building and upgrading more of them so more Victorians can benefit.”

“It’s about giving men a chance to come together, catch up with mates and give back to the community.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“We’re boosting men’s sheds in regional areas because we know how valuable they can be to these communities – it’s wonderful to see these sheds in Wonthaggi and Meeniyan being expanded and upgraded.”