Wednesday, 3 December 2025

 Luba GRIGOROVITCH (Kororoit) (19:12): (1464) The action I seek is for the Minister for Carers and Volunteers to provide an update on when the Westvale Men’s Shed in Kororoit will formally receive the $100,000 in funding that was allocated under the Victorian government’s 2025–26 men’s shed funding program. The wonderful Westvale Men’s Shed, which is in Kororoit, as I mentioned, is a group that is truly at the heart of our local community. Last week I had the pleasure of visiting the shed and speaking to everyone who was there. It was a full house, with such warmth and such generosity. Tony, one of the longstanding members, presented me with the most beautiful handmade pen, crafted with such care and pride out of wood, and the rest of the group absolutely spoilt me with a collection of puzzles, which I will admit I do not know how to do, but I will give them my best shot.

Beyond the laughter and kindness, there is a serious and important need for men’s sheds all over Victoria in my opinion. The Westvale Men’s Shed has outgrown its current space, with so many men relying on the shed for connection, for wellbeing and for community, and overcrowding has become a major issue. Although it is called a men’s shed, there is also a women’s group that attends it every week as well. It is very well attended. That is why I was so pleased to see that the Victorian government had allocated $100,000 from the men’s shed funding program in the 2025–26 budget to support an extension of the Westvale Men’s Shed, doubling its size and ensuring it can continue delivering programs that keep men and women healthy, supported and, of course, socially connected. I ask the Minister for Carers and Volunteers for an update: when will this funding be released so that the Westvale Men’s Shed can begin their much-needed expansion and continue the incredible that they do for the community?