Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, today welcomed funding for the Manilla and Inverell Men’s Sheds towards equipment and the operation of the local buildings.

 

The Manilla Men’s Shed will receive $2,252 for the purchase of equipment and tools such as a wood lathe and accessories and training, while the Inverell Community Men’s Shed will receive $2,000 for tools and equipment including a TV for skills training, cold cut off saw, router table, plunge router and various other training.

 

“The Men’s Shed program goes a long way to support men’s physical and mental health and wellbeing, and this funding will help the Manilla and Inverell sheds continue that important work,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“The Manilla and Inverell Men’s Shed help men, particularly as they get older, to connect with each other and prevent social isolation and preventable health conditions

 

“The grants will mean a lot to the Manilla and Inverell Men’s Shed members and the broader community and I congratulate them on their success.

 

“Men’s Sheds provide a sense of community, a safe and friendly environment where men can work on meaningful projects at their own pace, in their own time, in the company of other men.

 

“Members have an opportunity to pass their skills to others, learn new things, or just catch up regularly with other men in the community for a chat and a cup of tea,” Mr Joyce said.

 

Inverell Community Men’s Shed President Victor Finney said the funding would help extend local members’ range of skills.

 

“Men’s Sheds are one of the greatest things for mental health in the community and the equipment we can buy from the funding will give us a greater range of craftsmanship,” Mr Finney said.

 

Manilla Men’s Shed President Max Maughan said the grant may help increase interest in the organisation.

 

“It will definitely make life easier for some of the men and the extra support means that we could get more people interested in coming along to see what we do,” Mr Maughan said.

 

This grant funding is part of the $5.1 million the Federal Government has provided to the Australian Men’s Shed Association through to 2018-19 to support the national network of Men’s Sheds.

 

Details of all successful grant recipients from this National Shed Development Program funding round are available at www.mensshed.org.

 

 (ENDS)