The Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said three Men’s Shed groups in the New England Electorate will receive a total of $10,220 from the Coalition Government to continue to promote and support men’s health and wellbeing.

 

The Uralla Men's Shed will receive $4,000, which according to the President Reverend Gordon Stewart, will be spent on a bandsaw and blades, wet sharpening grindstone, vices, disc and belt sander, pedestal drill, scroll chucks and accessories, callipers and equipment for the wood lathe.

 

The Men’s Shed in Tenterfield is also a recipient of a grant of $3,720, which will be used to upgrade the electrical fuse box and installation of LED lights and power points.  It will also be used to fund first aid training for members.

 

Tenterfield Men’s Shed President Rex Holley said the news of the grant was a great boost for the group of 20 or so members.

 

“We needed to upgrade the existing electrical system and having the LED lights will help some of our older members to see things a bit clearer,” he said.

 

The Gunnedah Rural Museum Men's Shed, which moves to the Electorate of Parkes after the 2 July election, will receive $2,500 to provide members with chairs with arm rests for ageing members.

 

Mr Joyce said under the National Shed Development Programme, the Coalition has provided the Australian Men’s Shed Association with allocated funding of $800,000 this financial year with a funding pool of $400,000 per round.

 

He said in promoting the recent grant announcements, the Men’s Shed Programme is providing benefits for the community at large.

 

“The community is benefiting from the projects undertaken in the sheds and family ties are becoming stronger with happier and healthier men,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“Men’s Sheds reduce social isolation, particularly for older men and men living in rural and remote areas, enabling positive social interactions, enhancing health and wellbeing in the men who attend.”

 

Grants are competitive, with priority given to sheds in disadvantaged areas. A further funding round is expected to be called soon. Details can be found at: www.mensshed.org

 

For information on the application process, contact Australian Men’s Shed Association via email at amsa@mensshed.net or phone 1300 550 009.