Four Men’s Sheds in the Parkes electorate will receive grants from the Australian Government to continue to promote and support men’s health and well-being. The grants are part of $400,000 in national funding provided to more than 100 Men’s Sheds across Australia. The Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said grants had been allocated to the Nyngan Men’s Shed Inc., Copper City Men’s Shed in Cobar, Grawin Glengarry Sheepyard Opal Fields Men’s Shed and the Dubbo Community Men’s Shed Inc. Mr Coulton said the funding would support the group’s activities and programmes, the purchase of tools and equipment and maintenance of shed buildings. He said the Nyngan Men’s Shed Inc. would receive $2200 to purchase a plasma cutter, air compressor, cutting tips, electrodes and a metal bandsaw while the Copper City Men’s Shed in Cobar was successful in its application for $3000 to purchase a Triton Work Centre with saw bench and router accessories. Mr Coulton said the Grawin Glengarry Sheepyard Opal Fields Men’s Shed would receive $6500 for a generator, toilet and materials and the Dubbo Community Men’s Shed Inc. $2500 grant will cover transport costs to deliver items for a major charitable project as well as catering for health seminars and shed promotional items. “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. AMSA will open the next round of funding for Men’s Sheds shortly. Details can be found at www.mensshed.org/home/.aspx Queries on the application process for the programme can be directed to AMSA via email at amsa@mensshed.net or phone 1300 550 009.