Wednesday,13th September

More men in Victoria’s south-east will be building new friendships, skills and community connections, thanks to grants for new and refurbished men’s sheds.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today announced Drouin, Venus Bay and Tarwin Lower, Sandy Point and Golden Paradise Beach sheds would receive a total of $143,667 to build new, or upgrade existing, facilities.

The men’s shed program improves the health and wellbeing of participants by promoting social inclusion.

The 44 members at Sandy Point will receive $60,000 for their much-needed new shed, which will be co-located with the Marine Rescue Group, while Golden Paradise Beach will also receive $60,000 to build a shed.

The Venus Bay and Tarwin Lower shed will receive $16,667 for an extension, while the Drouin shed will receive $6,500 to upgrade and increase power capacity.

Throughout the state, new men’s sheds will be built in 13 communities, while 10 other spaces will be refurbished, thanks to $879,000 in Victorian Government grants.

Each project – 20 in regional Victoria and three in metropolitan Melbourne – is the result of extensive community consultation.

The 2017-18 funding has focussed on projects from disadvantaged communities and areas that were experiencing significant economic and social change.

Quotes attributable to Harriet Shing:

“I’m thrilled the Victorian Government is investing in new sheds for Sandy Point and Golden Paradise Beach, and refurbished sheds for Venus Bay and Tarwin Lower, and Drouin.”

“Men from these communities will be able to get together, work on valuable projects and forge strong ties with others in their community.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos:

“Our government proudly supports men’s sheds. They are extremely valuable for community-building work, as well as enhancing men’s mental and physical health and well-being.”

“Men’s sheds are particularly important in isolated and disadvantaged communities. That’s why the Victorian Government has focussed on projects from communities and areas that were experiencing significant economic and social change.”