OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE BOOLARRA MEN’S SHED
February 27, 2013
State Member for Morwell Russell Northe and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today officially opened the Boolarra Men’s Shed.
The facility has been established with the support of Mr Northe who made a 2010 election commitment to provide the Boolarra and District Community Group with $25,000 in funding.
He said men’s sheds play a significant and practical role in supporting local men with the provision of skills, along with helping connectivity in their communities and mainstream society.
“Men’s sheds provide a physical space with workbenches tools and informal areas for conversation and research where men can connect, learn and work on local projects,” Mr Northe said.
“It is important that our smaller communities have access to these types of facilities, which is why it is fantastic that the Coalition Government has honored my election commitment of $25,000 to facilitate the opening of the Boolarra Men’s Shed.”
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester commended the Boolarra and district community for instigating the project as well as philanthropic organisations which provided financial support.
“The Boolarra Men’s Shed has been established on the back of hard work by the Boolarra and District Community Group and its Men’s Shed sub-committee,” Mr Chester said.
“Fundraising efforts have been assisted by contributions from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), Pratt Foundation, Salvation Army and Mirboo North and District Community Bank.
“It is very pleasing that the community now has a service that supports the health and wellbeing of local men.”
There are about 160 men’s sheds in Victoria, of which 104 have been established through government support.
In the 2011/12 Budget, the Coalition Government committed $4 million over four years to continue and expand the men’s shed program across the State.