More people in Victoria’s south west will be better protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays thanks to the sixth round of Community Shade grants released by the Andrews Labor Government to install shade in public areas such as sports clubs, parks and playgrounds.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today announced 13 community organisations in south west Victoria will share in over $1.3 million of funding from the latest round of the Community Shade Grants program.
The Shade Grants Program is part of the Labor Government’s skin cancer prevention election commitment to provide $15.1 million over four years in skin cancer prevention initiatives.
The program provides grants to build new shade structures, repair existing structures, or create natural shade by planting trees. Funding is also provided to purchase sun protective items including hats and sunscreen.
Recipients include:
- Colac Otway Shire – $14,457
- Colac & District Cricket Association Inc – $700
- Anam Cara House Colac – $1,567
- Leopold Kindergarten – $700
- Portland Golf Club Inc – $361
- Bahgallah Memorial Hall Incorporated – $1,196
- Sandford Festival Committee Inc – $7,842
- Heywood Golf Club Inc – $2,724
- Bannockburn & District Bowls Club – $250
- Best Food and Fibre Environment Group Inc – $583
- Port Fairy Football Netball Club – $3,510
- Warrnambool Easter Arts Festival – $636
- Lorne Surf Life Saving Club Inc – $8,734
Good quality shade can reduce overall exposure to UV radiation by up to 75 per cent, and offers the best protection against harmful UV radiation when used in combination with other sun protective measures such as clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Through this program the Government is supporting Victorians to keep active and enjoy the outdoors, while also helping them to be sun smart and prevent skin cancer.
In 2019, melanoma was the fifth most common cancer in Victoria with 2,841 new cases and sadly 270 deaths. The five-year survival rate for Victorians diagnosed with melanoma was 92 per cent in 2014-2018, compared to 69 percent for all cancers.
The Community Shade Grants Program is complemented by the School Shade Grants Program, which provides shade for Victorian Government schools. In 2021, these programs have awarded 354 grants across Victoria totalling $2.75 million in funding.
So far, these programs have awarded 1988 grants totalling more than $17.5 million in funding across Victoria. Round seven of the Shade Grants Program will open in mid-2022.
It forms part of the Government’s ambitious Victorian Cancer Plan 2020-24 which sets out a target to halve the proportion of Victorians diagnosed with preventable cancers by 2040.
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP
“We know how much Australians love the outdoors. These grants ensure locals can still enjoy Western Victoria’s great parks, sports fields and playgrounds while having the necessary shade to protect them from the sun.”
“Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in Australia. That’s why this program is so important to ensure Western Victorian communities are protected from harmful UV rays which could contribute to skin cancer.”
“Our grants programs have helped hundreds of schools and community groups provide the protection Victorians need to prevent cancer and stay SunSmart.”