News
Page 8 The Moorabool News – 10 May, 2022
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Big promise for park By Lachlan Ellis
Men’s shed grants open Men’s sheds are vital places that offer more than just handiwork – and right now they’re eligible for grants of up to $80,000 for refurbishments, extensions, or construction of new men’s sheds. Men’s sheds offer a place for people to connect, work on projects, and contribute to their community, and now they can receive support for upgrades. The Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Anthony Carbines, announced $870,000 in grants on 28 April, under the 2022-23 Men’s Shed Funding Program. Online applications are open now via the State Government’s SmartyGrants website, and close at midnight on 30 June 2022. To view the grant guidelines, visit providers.dffh.vic.gov.au/ mens-shed-program. If you have any questions about the Men’s Shed Funding Program, you can call 8633 4765, or email mens.shed@dhhs. vic.gov.au. In 2021-22, the Men’s Shed Funding Program allocated close to $900,000 to 29 men’s shed groups across Victoria.
With the federal election three and a half weeks away, one of the frontrunners for the new Division of Hawke has promised his party, if it forms government, will contribute $400,000 for upgrades to a Moorabool park. Sam Rae is the Labor candidate for Hawke, which will be contested for the first time this year, and takes in Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Melton, and Sunbury. Mr Rae met Moorabool Shire Councillors Deputy Mayor Cr Tonia Dudzik, Cr Moira Berry, and Cr Ally Munari at Federation Park in Darley on Wednesday 27 April, to make the funding promise. “Darley’s a great place to live and a great place to raise a family, and parks are such an important part of family life and quality of life. This presents as a great example for us to improve the quality of life here,” Mr Rae said. “Council had within their advocacy document, a commitment to put $200,000 in if another government could put $400,000 to revamp all the facilities here, get the parking stuff and other amenity matters sorted out.
Candidate for the new electorate of Hawke Sam Rae, met with Crs Munari, Dudzik and Berry at Federation Park in Darley. Photo – Lachlan Ellis “The thing we’re announcing today is that an Albanese Labor Government will partner with Council to put up that $400,000, get Council’s $200,000, and then work in partnership to get all those matters sorted.” Mr Rae said Federation Park was part of the “front door” to Moorabool from the Macedon Ranges, and upgrades to the park could boost tourism.
Cr Dudzik also asked Mr Rae if he would commit to getting federal funding for a heated indoor pool in Bacchus Marsh, which forms Stage 3 of the Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC) plans. Mr Rae stopped short of pledging federal funding for the MARC, but said he hoped to see it funded in time.
“I’m very supportive of the project in its entirety, and I think we need to keep working on how we fund it. I’m very confident we will get there; the question is really about what that looks like in terms of funding it. But I think we’re a little bit early to nail that down,” he said.
The Architects, Project Team, and Library/Council Staff invite you to a Ballan Community Cafe
Share your ideas for the new Ballan Library & Community Hub When: Wednesday 18 May 2022 6-8pm Where: Ballan Mechanics Institute, 143 Inglis Street, Ballan Scan the QR Code or call 53667100 to register.