A $2,500 grant for the Gilgandra Men’s Shed will be a significant contribution toward the purchase of a defibrillator and first aid kit, the Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton said.

Mr Coulton said the Nationals-Liberal Government is providing funding for the town’s 34 Men’s Shed members and the funding will support their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

“This funding round helps Men’s Sheds to buy tools and equipment, support community projects and training, maintain or develop their buildings, or create local activities to improve men’s health,” he said.

“The $2,500 grant will mean a lot to the Gilgandra Men’s Shed members and the broader community and I congratulate them on their success.

“Men’s Sheds provide a sense of community, a safe and friendly environment where men can work on meaningful projects at their own pace, in their own time, in the company of other men.

“Members have an opportunity to pass their skills to others, learn new things, or just catch up regularly with other men in the community for a chat and a cup of tea,” Mr Coulton said.

This grant funding is part of the $5.1 million the Federal Government has provided to the Australian Men’s Shed Association through to 2018-19 to support the national network of Men’s Sheds.

Details of all successful grant recipients from this National Shed Development Program funding round are available at www.mensshed.org