GRANTS of up to $30,000 are now available to support the redevelopment of men’s sheds in Victoria.
Member for Western Victoria Simon Ramsay said the grants initiative was part of a $4 million package over four years that would help men’s sheds increase their capacity to attract new members, operate sustainably and continue to make valuable contributions to local communities.
“Men’s sheds give men a place to go where they can meet, talk, get involved in their local community and learn about important health and wellbeing issues,” he said.
Under the Strengthening Men’s Sheds Program, $900,000 will be available to refurbish existing men’s sheds, with grants of up to $30,000 for assistance to redevelop and modify an existing shed to meet occupational health and safety and disability standards or to meet increased community demand for established shed activities.
There are currently about 160 men’s sheds in Victoria.
Ballarat East Community Men’s Shed vice-president Doug Jenkins said his organisation would “certainly” apply.
“We haven’t had any government assistance as yet, so anything we can get would be great,” he said.
“We can’t keep relying on donations from the public.”
Mr Jenkins said it cost the Ballarat East Community Men’s Shed about $1000 a week to operate, adding costs were going up all the time.
He said the rolling number of up to 60 men who visited the premises would benefit from such a grant.
Successful applicants will be required to match their grants on a 2:1 ratio. Applications for the grants close on July 13.
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