Thursday, 21 March 2024

 Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (09:59): I rise today to congratulate and recognise the incredible contribution, the often life-saving contribution, made by our men’s sheds around the state. Men’s sheds are at the heart of so many communities, and it is always wonderful to talk with and to hear from members of men’s sheds – not just men, by the way – who make a significant contribution and who continue to connect people with community through a range of skills and training opportunities, through opportunities to connect over a cuppa or to get out and about and provide a range of community supports and connections, whether it is street furniture or getting out and about to teach people the joys of everything from woodworking through to skills that will help people to run a business. Being able to fund around 28 men’s sheds through the latest round of funding has continued to make a difference to the way in which these extraordinary organisations go about their business. I do want to congratulate the Morwell Men’s Shed on the grant of $77,589 towards new premises as well as the Newborough Men’s Shed, which is receiving $6700, and the Bunyip and District Men’s Shed, receiving $7600. This is important in continuing to support our men’s sheds now and into the future.