More locals in Western Victoria will be protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government installing more sunshades in public areas and sports clubs.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced the fifteen community organisations in Western Victoria who will receive a share in almost $1 million from the fourth round of the Community Shade Grants Program.
The grants are available for community groups to construct new shade structures, purchase portable shade, plant natural shade, repair an existing shade, purchase sun protective items or any combination of the five.
The organisations in Western Victoria that receive a grant, include: (see list below)
When used alongside other sun protection measures such as sunscreen and clothing, shade structures are the best defence and can reduce overall exposure to UV radiation by up to 75 per cent.
Through this program, the Labor Government is supporting locals to keep active and enjoy the outdoors, while also helping them to be sun smart and prevent skin cancer. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, with two in three people diagnosed by the age of 70.
In 2017, 270 Victorians died from melanoma and almost 3,000 people were diagnosed with invasive melanomas – making it the fourth most common cancer across the state. The five-year survival rate for Victorians diagnosed with invasive melanoma was at 90 per cent in 2013-16.
The Labor Government has provided a $10 million boost for the program in the Victorian Budget 2019/20 – paving the way for more schools and community groups to install shade over the next four years.
This initiative is part of the Labor Government’s election commitment to provide $15.1 million over four years in SunSmart programs.
It forms part of the Labor Government’s ambitious Victorian Cancer Plan 2016-20 which sets out a target of saving 10,000 lives from cancer over a decade.
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP
“We know how much Australians love the outdoors. These grants mean that locals can still enjoy Western Victoria’s great parks, sports fields and playgrounds while staying SunSmart.”
“Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in Australia. That’s why this program is so important to the community.”
The successful recipients in Western Victoria for round 4 include:
- Golden Plains Shire Council – $26,655 for the installation of permanent shade sails at Bannockburn Recreation Centre
- Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club Inc – $10, 626 for portable shade and sun protective items
- Cobden and District Tennis Association – $8,300 for permanent shade
- Teesdale Cricket Club – $665 for sun protective items
- Warrnambool Golf Club – $1,717 for portable shade
- Pathways for Living Ltd, Gorae – $636 for sun protective items
- Port Fairy Community House – $218 for sun protective items
- Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation – $636 for sun protective items
- Colac Basketball Association – $636 for sun protective items
- Colac Leisure Runners Inc – $700 for sun protective items
- Colac Otway Residents Action Group – $700 for sun protective items
- Colac Turf Club – $636 for sun protective items
- Country Hockey Umpires Inc – $700 for sun protective items
- Irrewarra Cricket Club – $700 for sun protective items
- SkillsConnection, Colac – $635 for sun protective items