A local footy club will be protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays this summer thanks to some new outdoor shading, funded by the sixth round of the state government’s Community Shade Grants program.
On Friday 19 November, Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing announced that six community organisations across the Cardinia and Yarra Ranges LGA’s will share in over $1.3 million of funding from the program – with the Officer City Football Club being one of the lucky recipients.
The Shade Grants Program is part of the 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.
The Officer City Football Club will be receiving $4,300 to go towards the purchase of portable shade structures which will help protect club members from the harsh sun rays this summer and beyond.
Ms Shing said that it would be great to see this funding provide shade for local clubs so that players could be safe all year round.
“We know how much Australians love the outdoors. These grants mean that communities in Cardinia and the Yarra Ranges can still enjoy a healthy outdoor lifestyle while having the necessary shade to protect them from the sun,” Ms Shing said.
“Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in Australia.
“That’s why this program is so important to ensure 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,” she said.
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.
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.
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.
