The Federal Coalition Government continues to support the health and wellbeing of men in the New England with funding through the National Shed Development Program.

• Manilla Men’s Shed $4,130 - for first aid training courses, health-related events, catering support and promotional materials.
• Tamworth Community Men’s Shed $875 - for first aid courses for its members.
• Murrurundi Men's Shed $7,000 - for shed improvements including a concrete slab to expand its metalworking capabilities, facilitate office space and enclosure for computers and office equipment.

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, welcomed the announcement saying the funding would “greatly assist” an integral part of these communities.

“I’m pleased the Manilla, Tamworth and Murrurundi Men’s Sheds will now be able to boost their shed’s resources with this funding,” Mr Joyce said.

“Belonging to a social group is vitally important for emotional and mental health, and our local Men’s Shed is an important place for men to meet up and participate in meaningful projects, particularly in rural and regional areas like our own.

“To stay healthy, we need to do regular activities and stay connected with the people around us and this is why our local Men’s Sheds have become important for the New England community.”

The Federal Government has delivered more than $14,000 in funding for Manilla and Tamworth men’s sheds in the last two years. In 2018, Tamworth Men’s Shed was awarded $5,800 to build a staircase to the mezzanine level of the building and Manilla Men’s Shed was awarded a $4,000 grant to fund new air conditioning.

More than $10,000 in funding has been delivered for the Murrurundi shed in recent months. In April, the shed was awarded a grant of $3,500 for tag and test training and equipment.

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, congratulated the Men’s Sheds on the grants, but also on the tremendous work it continued to do supporting the health and well-being of men in the New England.

“Men are known to bottle things up but Manilla, Tamworth and Murrurundi Men’s Sheds are encouraging men to reach out for the support they need for better health and wellbeing—great for them, their families and the wider community,” Minister Hunt said.

(ENDS)