Victorian Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge recently announced that Forty-one new Men’s Sheds will be built across Victoria with an investment of nearly $4.9 million. Ms Wooldridge explained that the Victorian Coalition Government will provide more than $2.2 million through the Strengthening Men’s Sheds initiative, while nearly $2.7 million will be provided by local council, federal government, philanthropic organisations, community groups and fundraising activities.
“The Men’s Shed program has become an important aspect of building stronger communities, with more than 230 sheds operating across Victoria,” Ms Wooldridge said.
“This funding will increase the number of Men’s Sheds across the state to actively engage men in their local communities,” Victorian Men’s Shed Association President Paul Sladdin commented.
Ms Wooldridge explained that the Victorian Coalition Government will invest $60,000 in the establishment of the Melbourne’s Men’s Shed, the City of Melbourne will subsidise rent and make a significant financial contribution, and more than $8,000 in community funding has been raised. Wooldridge added that grants of up to $60,000 per shed will be put towards building new sheds or to converting existing buildings into Men’s Sheds over the next 18 months
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle explained that the City of Melbourne will fully subsidise approximately $23,000 per annum in rental costs for the Melbourne Men’s Shed project for an initial period of five years, and will spend approximately $45,000 to modify and fit out the space on the ground floor of the car park at Federation Square.
“This is an important project for our city community. Having a Men’s Shed at Federation Square, with easy access to public transport, is vital to ensuring inner-city men also have the opportunity to get their hands dirty,” Mr Doyle said.