Media Releases

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty this week in Parliament said that many good things had happened in the Lowan electorate in the past few weeks.

“I have been fortunate to have attended many functions and made many announcements of Coalition Government funding during January and early February,” Mr Delahunty said.

“On Sunday 2nd February I opened the $311,000 Nareen CFA Fire Station which is fitting recognition of the Brigade’s important contribution to the local community.  The Brigade currently has 28 proud members in a proud western Victorian community,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Recent funding announcements have included $3.46 million in Coalition Government funding to repair the Dimboola and Jeparit weirs which were extensively damaged in the 2011 Wimmera River floods.”

Mr Delahunty said these valuable assets are being restored after a lot of work by the town committees, the Hindmarsh Shire and GWM Water.  

“Also while I was visiting Dimboola I announced $29,186 for the Dimboola Boat and Water Ski Club to upgrade the existing boat ramp at Picnic Point on the Wimmera River and make boating a safer and more enjoyable experience for the Dimboola community,” Mr Delahunty said.

Boating is a popular pastime, and we have some magnificent waterways in the Wimmera region which are enjoyed by many locals and attract thousands of tourists every year.

“Men’s Sheds are important facilities in Lowan and I was pleased to be able to announce Hamilton will receive $30,000, Natimuk $15,566 and Edenhope $25,000,” Mr Delahunty said.

“The Victorian Coalition Government recognises the significant role that Men’s sheds play in local communities, by engaging a wide range of men, including those with a disability, farmers, war veterans, retirees and the unemployed.”

Mr Delahunty said he was delighted to be able to attend the Australia Day celebrations held in Horsham, Cavendish, Hamilton and Glenthompson.  

“Each celebration was well attended and I congratulate the Councils and organising committees on the success of each of these events.  I also take this opportunity to congratulate to all the Australia Day award recipients,” Mr Delahunty said.

“There has been much good news for the Lowan electorate but the down side, Lowan health services have taken a hit from the Federal Government not honoring its health budget by cutting $107m from health services across Victoria; this is in contrast to the State Coalition Government which is honoring our health budget.”

“This cash grab by the Federal Government is impacting on the five health services in Lowan and ultimately it is the patients who will suffer with longer waiting times for elective surgery or the closure of beds and wards and may even lead to job losses,” Mr Delahunty said.

 

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty announced $3,762 in funding from the Victorian Coalition Government to the Hamilton Community House today, a grant which will benefit the Hamilton community.

The Hamilton Community House has been successful in receiving a grant of $3,762 through the Victorian Government’s Strengthening Men’s Sheds Program.

“The funding for the Hamilton Community House will be for necessary electrical works and dust collection ducting”, Mr Delahunty said.

“The Victorian Coalition Government recognises the significant role that Community House facilities play in local communities, by engaging a wide range of men, including those with a disability, farmers, war veterans, retirees and the unemployed.

I am a strong supporter of Community Neighbourhood houses, they are a great place for people to be able to connect with each other, to talk and share skills and assist the community,” Mr Delahunty said.

Grant recipients were also required to provide funding or in-kind support to the project, taking a total value of the investment between local communities and the Victorian Coalition Government to $1.2 million.

“The Hamilton Community House is contributing $1,881 towards the project, bringing the total project value to $5,643.” This is a great partnership and congratulations to all involved, Mr Delahunty said.

 

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty announced $25,000 in funding from the Victorian Coalition Government to the Edenhope Men’s Shed today, a grant which will benefit local men in the Edenhope area.
Edenhope has been successful in receiving a grant of $25,000 through the Victorian Government’s Strengthening Men’s Sheds Program.
“The funding for the Edenhope Men’s Shed will assist with a disabled ramp to the toilet, upgrade and install power points and lights, dust extractor and ducting, draft proof doors and windows, repairs to existing fencing, reverse cycle air conditioning and floor coverings”, Mr Delahunty said.
“The Victorian Coalition Government recognises the significant role that Men’s sheds play in local communities, by engaging a wide range of men, including those with a disability, farmers, war veterans, retirees and the unemployed.
I am a strong supporter of Men’s Sheds, they are a great place for men to be able to connect with each other, to talk and share skills and assist the community,” Mr Delahunty said.
The grants under the new Strengthening Men’s Sheds Program will allow the redevelopment of 36 existing Men’s Sheds to meet increased community demands for shed activities and Occupational Health and Safety and disability guidelines.
Grants of up to $30,000 per shed were made available to incorporated not-for-profit organisations and local government authorities that auspiced existing Men’s Sheds.
Grant recipients were also required to provide funding or in-kind support to the project, taking a total value of the investment between local communities and the Victorian Coalition Government to $1.2 million. 
 “The Edenhope Men’s Shed is contributing $12,500 towards the project, bringing the total project value to $37,500.”  This is a great partnership and congratulations to all involved, Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty announced $15,566 in funding from the Victorian Coalition Government to the Natimuk Men’s Shed today, a grant which will benefit local men in the Natimuk area.
Natimuk has been successful in receiving a grant of $15,566 through the Victorian Government’s Strengthening Men’s Sheds Program.
The funding for the Natimuk Men’s Shed will assist with renovations to the existing building,” Mr Delahunty said.
“The Victorian Coalition Government recognises the significant role that Men’s sheds play in local communities, by engaging a wide range of men, including those with a disability, farmers, war veterans, retirees and the unemployed.
I am a strong supporter of Men’s Sheds, they are a great place for men to be able to connect with each other, to talk and share skills and assist the community,” Mr Delahunty said.
The grants under the new Strengthening Men’s Sheds Program will allow the redevelopment of 36 existing Men’s Sheds to meet increased community demands for shed activities and Occupational Health and Safety and disability guidelines.
Grants of up to $30,000 per shed were made available to incorporated not-for-profit organisations and local government authorities that auspiced existing Men’s Sheds.
Grant recipients were also required to provide funding or in-kind support to the project, taking a total value of the investment between local communities and the Victorian Coalition Government to $1.2 million. 
 “The Natimuk Men’s Shed is contributing $7,783 towards the project, bringing the total project value to $23,349.”  This is a great partnership and congratulations to all involved, Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty announced $30,000 in funding from the Victorian Coalition Government to the Hamilton Men’s Shed today, a grant which will benefit local men in the Hamilton area.
Hamilton has been successful in receiving a grant of $30,000 through the Victorian Government’s Strengthening Men’s Sheds Program.
The funding for the Hamilton Men’s Shed will assist with extending the existing building, to include a social space for meetings, a purpose built metal work area, concrete flooring and improved access and storage,” Mr Delahunty said.
“The Victorian Coalition Government recognises the significant role that Men’s sheds play in local communities, by engaging a wide range of men, including those with a disability, farmers, war veterans, retirees and the unemployed.
I am a strong supporter of Men’s Sheds, they are a great place for men to be able to connect with each other, to talk and share skills and assist the community,” Mr Delahunty said.
The grants under the new Strengthening Men’s Sheds Program will allow the redevelopment of 36 existing Men’s Sheds to meet increased community demands for shed activities and Occupational Health and Safety and disability guidelines.
Grants of up to $30,000 per shed were made available to incorporated not-for-profit organisations and local government authorities that auspiced existing Men’s Sheds.
Grant recipients were also required to provide funding or in-kind support to the project, taking a total value of the investment between local communities and the Victorian Coalition Government to $1.2 million. 
 “The Hamilton Men’s Shed is contributing $17,250 towards the project, bringing the total project value to $47,250.”  This is a great partnership and congratulations to all involved, Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said grants of up to $30,000 from the Strengthening Men’s Sheds Grants program 2012 are now available to support the redevelopment of men’s sheds.

“The Strengthening Men’s Sheds grants initiative is part of a $4 million package over four years that would help men’s sheds increase their capacity to attract new members, operate sustainably and continue to make valuable contributions to local communities,” Mr Delahunty said.

Men’s sheds have increased in popularity and number over the past five years and there are now about 160 in Victoria.

Mr Delahunty said men’s sheds provide a place for regular contact with other men and a range of practical activities including carpentry, horticulture, cooking and restorations.

“Men’s sheds give men a place to go where they can meet, talk, get involved in their local community as well as learn about the importance of men’s health and wellbeing issues,” Mr Delahunty said.

In announcing the Strengthening Men’s Sheds Grants program 2012, the Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge said the Coalition Government recognises the significant role men’s sheds play in local communities through engaging a diverse range of men, including those with a disability, farmers, war veterans, retirees and the unemployed.

Through the Strengthening Men’s Sheds Program, $900,000 will be available to refurbish existing men’s sheds, with grants of up to $30,000 for assistance to redevelop and modify an existing shed to meet occupational health and safety and disability standards or to meet increased community demand for established shed activities.

“In providing this latest round of grants through the Strengthening Men’s Sheds Grants program 2012 the Coalition Government is supporting men’s sheds to continue to grow and thrive across western Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.

Successful applicants will be required to match their grants on a 2:1 ratio.

This latest round of funding is in addition to the Men’s Shed Capacity Building Fund of $100,000 that is administered by the Victorian Men’s Sheds Association to provide small grants to develop informal networks and tackle issues of sustainability.

Applications for grants close on 13 July 2012. More information is available at:
www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-business-and-community/community-involvement/men-in-thecommunity/strengthening-mens-sheds

A Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will invest an additional $24,000 into men’s sheds in the Lowan Electorate.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty made the announcement while attending the official opening of the Goroke men’s shed today.

“This funding will allow established Men’s Sheds across the electorate to purchase equipment and supplies and meet ongoing running costs,” Mr Delahunty said.

“All of the men’s sheds across the Lowan electorate, including the one here at Goroke, will be eligible for funding.”

Mr Delahunty said men’s sheds were a community workshop where men could share time with each other, swap yarns and use their skills to create saleable products to benefit the local community.

“Although the initiative is aimed primarily at retired men, all are welcome.

“They have become important community hubs where men can share their skills such as woodworking, metal work and creative art or just drink a cup of coffee and have a chat.

“Feeling good about yourself, being productive and valuable to your community, connecting with friends and maintaining an active body and an active mind are all important to good health.

“Becoming a member of a men’s shed gives men a safe and busy environment where they can find these things in an atmosphere of old-fashioned mateship.

“I am proud to be here at the opening of the Goroke Men’s Shed and proud to announce that, if elected, the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition’s will support the Men’s Shed movement in the Lowan electorate,” Mr Delahunty said.