Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton yesterday paid a visit to the Gulargambone Men’s Shed Inc to formally announce a grant from the Commonwealth Government to support the shed’s operations.

Mr Coulton announced that the shed will receive $5,000 under Round 11 of the National Shed Development Programme to assist with the costs of tools and equipment for the shed as well as community projects and training.

“This grant will go a long way in helping the shed to get established with start-up tools and equipment including safety equipment, power tools, heavy duty leads, a blower vac, hedge trimmer, garden tools, a ride on mower, multi-tool line trimmer and fuel containers,” Mr Coulton said.

The grant is part of the Coalition Government’s ongoing commitment to more than 1000 Men’s Sheds across Australia.

Mr Coulton said the funding would support the shed’s activities and programmes which provide an important community service role for men in Gulargambone.

“Men’s Sheds provide a place where men are able to work on meaningful projects at their own pace in their own time and gather together in a safe, friendly and inclusive environment,” Mr Coulton said.

“They reduce social isolation, strengthen communities and contribute to improvements in the health of individual men, particularly the mental health of retired and older men.”

Under the National Shed Development Programme, all Men’s Sheds in Australia can apply for up to $8,000 in funding, with priority given to sheds in rural and remote areas and in areas of disadvantage. The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) manages the National Shed Development Programme.

Further information can be found on AMSA’s website at http://mensshed.org/