Echuca-Moama Men’s Shed members are hoping for extra funding as they continue to expand.
President Peter Graham said his group had applied for a Victorian Government grant intended to help expand, improve and establish community Men’s Sheds across the state.
“Our Men’s Shed keeps expanding and growing. We have 70 members now and that funding could really help us to create more work stations for our members,” Mr Graham said.
“We would also use the funding for a new extraction system, as we need a better system to remove sawdust. A low-end extraction system can cost around $16,000 — it’s not cheap, so receiving funding like this would benefit us greatly.”
Victorian Men’s Sheds can apply for funding of up to $80,000 through the 2022-23 Men’s Shed Funding Program to support the construction, refurbishment or extension of existing sheds.
Mr Graham said the Echuca-Moama Men’s Shed had not received funding like this from the state government before.
“We do a lot of community work, which means that we predominantly receive our funding through local organisations, clubs and businesses who hire us to build or create something for them,” he said.
“We hope that we can one day successfully obtain funding through a government program like this.”
State Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp encouraged local Men’s Sheds to apply for the grants.
“These grants will help sheds grow and welcome new members, providing a place for people across our community to connect and support their wellbeing,” he said.
Applications for the grants can be submitted until June 30.
For more information about the 2022-23 Men’s Shed Funding Program and how to apply, visit www.providers.dffh.vic.gov.au/mens-shed-program