The sixth round of the State Government’s School Shade Grants Program and the Community Shade Grants Program is now open, to help protect Casey communities from harmful UV rays.
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale encouraged schools, community organisations and sporting clubs across the region to apply for programs, which have previously contributed to sun and wet weather protection at facilities across her electorate.
The programs ensure more Victorians can access the shade they need to stay safe when enjoying the outdoors by planting trees, building new shade or repairing existing shade.
Grants are also available to purchase sun protective items including hats and sunscreen.
When used alongside other sun protection measures such as sunscreen and clothing, shade structures are the best defense and can reduce overall exposure to UV radiation by up to 75 per cent.
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, with two in three people diagnosed by the age of 70.
In 2019, melanoma was the fifth most common cancer in Victoria with 2841 new cases diagnosed and sadly 270 deaths.
The five-year survival rate for Victorians diagnosed with invasive melanoma was at 92 per cent in 2014-2018.
The State Government has directed $15.1 million towards the prevention and early detection of skin cancer.
This includes $10 million for the Shade Grants Program – allowing around 1000 extra schools and community groups will be able to install much needed shade between 2019 and 2023.
The program began in 2015 and has since awarded 1634 grants worth more than $14 million.
To apply for a grant visit health.vic.gov.au/public-health/preventive-health/skin-cancer-prevention
School Shade Grant Program applications close on 27 August and Community Shade Grant Program applications close on 10 September.
