Eleven Men's Sheds across rural parts of the state have been successful in receiving federal government funding to make improvements to their facilities, with the grants totalling more than $58,000.
The funding is part of the 20th round of the National Shed Development Programme, which has seen more $500,000 dealt out to 121 Men's Sheds across the country.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey welcomed the decision by the Commonwealth Government to award the five Men's Sheds in his electorate with funding, and said it was very timely.
"Now more than ever, Men's Sheds offer men a critical avenue for social support and engagement," he said.
"Men's sheds provide a place where men can feel included and safe. The aim of men's sheds is to improve the health and wellbeing of their members.
We're still trying to establish properly and set things up the way we want them, the grant will help us with various things that we need to do.
- DARRYL PETHERICK
"To stay healthy, we need to do regular activities with the people around us, and our local men's shed has become a focal point for their local communities."
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said that belonging to a social group such as a Men's Shed was vitally important for emotional and mental health.
"Men's Sheds are a fantastic way for men to stay connected with their communities," he said said.
Since 2013, the Government has provided $5.4 million through the National Shed Development programme to support Men's Sheds across Australia.
The successful SA Men's Sheds to receive funding in this round include:
- Cleve Men's Shed: $5600 to fund shed improvements, and allow for the purchasing of banners, signs, flags, tables, chairs, health resources, and whiteboards, to be used at stalls at events such as the EP Field Days.
- Owen Men's Shed: $5050 for shed improvements such as a sealed concrete floor, connecting power from an existing pole, supply and connection of meter, wiring and power points.
- Streaky Bay Men's Shed: $4935 for tools and equipment - Pro Master Chevington metalcraft workshop and freight.
- Booleroo Centre and District Men's Shed: $6500 for Shed Improvements: Enclose area to develop dedicated metalwork shop.
- Victor Harbor Men's Shed: $6209 to be put towards First Aid, Mental Health, Food Handling and Safety, OHS - Supervisors training, Laguna 8' Parallelogram Jointer.
- Millicent Men's Shed: $7000 to be put towards Metalworking workshop and storage area -linings, shelving, cupboards, air conditioning and electrical work.
- Mount Pleasant Men's Shed: $2900 to help facilitate a series of health events- physical, mental health and wellbeing, and also to support remote and rural communities.
- Penola Men's Shed: $9274 for two roller doors, a split system air conditioner to address
- extreme temperatures, a 15" Planer thicknesser, and freight
- Southern Barossa Men's Shed: $6844 for Safety signage, chemical storage cabinet, PPE, tactile floor indicator and signage, two wall grab rails, modular kitchen, continuous flow HWS, 36" T glide rail Sawstop
- Strathalbyn Woodshed: $1775 to enclose outdoor area at the entrance.
- Tatiara Men's Shed: $1950 for a hammer drill, chisel grinder, and eight-piece turning tool set.
Men's Sheds in Whyalla, Glenelg and Enfield also received funding.
Cleve Men's Shed president Darryl Petherick said the group had been growing steadily since starting up in mid-2018, and the funding would help to improve the facility in a number of ways.
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"We're still trying to establish properly and set things up the way we want them, the grant will help us with various things that we need to do, and there is always maintenance so it will help with that as well," he said.
The group did not meet for three months due to COVID-19, but has been meeting twice weekly since June. The group consists of more than 40 members - a significant growth on the original four members who started the group just more than two years ago.
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Claire Harris
Journalist at Stock Journal. Hailing from South East Queensland, Claire moved to SA at the start of 2019. She is passionate about agriculture, cooking, sport, and line dancing, and loves a good long road trip.
Journalist at Stock Journal. Hailing from South East Queensland, Claire moved to SA at the start of 2019. She is passionate about agriculture, cooking, sport, and line dancing, and loves a good long road trip.
