Camden Men’s Shed has been awarded a $6000 grant to help continue its members’ great work in supporting and promoting men’s health and wellbeing in the region.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said the grant was part of $400,000 in national funding which will be distributed to 93 community Men’s Sheds across Australia.

“The Camden blokes do a fantastic job and this money will go a long way towards realising their plans to upgrade their facilities,” Mr Taylor said.

“Their grant was awarded under Round 13 of the National Shed Development Programme and applications for Round 14 are open now. I encourage all Men’s Sheds in the electorate to make a submission.”

Camden Men’s Shed president Patrick White said he and his fellow members (of which there are more than 40) welcomed the funding boost.

“We will be using this money for a concrete slab that will greatly extend the use of our existing shed,” he said.

Mr Taylor said the Men’s Shed programme was going from strength to strength.

“Men’s Sheds are a popular way for men to connect with their community—whether it’s through a building project, a first aid workshop or a transition to retirement seminar— that’s why I encourage our local blokes to give a shed a go,” he said.

“There are any number of activities for men to take part in, which in turn, provides that important sense of belonging to a community, particularly for older men and men living in rural and remote areas.”

Men’s Shed grants support the purchase of tools, equipment, community projects, training, building maintenance and development, and health improvement activities.

The Australian Government has provided $5.1 million (from 2016-17 to 2018-19) to the Australian Men’s Sheds Association (AMSA) to provide support and resources to new and existing Men’s Sheds and to manage the National Shed Development Programme.

Grants are competitive with priority given to sheds in disadvantaged areas.

Further rounds of funding will be available for Men’s Sheds and details can be found at www.mensshed.org.

For information on the application process, contact AMSA via email at amsa@mensshed.net or phone 1300 550 009.