Michaela Meade
Whittlesea Men’s Shed has received over $4500 from the most recent round of the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) Grants for Resilience & Wellness (GR&W).
The GR&W funds projects that strengthen and build the resilience of communities in regions impacted by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
The shed, on Whittlesea-Yea Road, will be able to introduce a horizontal metal saw, and a fume extractor for welding thanks to the $4576 in funding, president Phil Berchdolt said.
Mr Berchdolt said the funding will mean the Men’s Shed is “more sustainable”.
“The old equipment isn’t safe for use,” he said.
“The sort of people in the shed, they’re retired, their health’s not great.
“The more we can accommodate them and provide safe equipment, the better.”
The shed has previously received funding from FRRR, including $20,000 to replace the dusting system, and $16,000 to install solar panels.
Mr Berchdolt said FRRR has been “fantastic” over the years.
“They’ve been great to work with,” Mr Berchdolt said.
“They’ve been fantastic with us for years.
“FRRR have helped us out a lot.
“The funding allows us to keep doing the work we do.”
The most recent round of the GR&W program awarded 22 community groups a share in $268,821 of funding.
