Free sanitary products at attractions, libraries, health centres

THREE new sanitary product vending machines at Sovereign Hill will assist women and girls visiting the outdoor museum.

The free pad and tampon vending machines are supported by the State Government and aim to remove barriers women and girls may face to education, work and community life.

Seventeen sanitary product vending machines have also been installed across Ballarat with more to come at Mars Stadium, Sebastopol Library, Grampians Health including the Queen Elizabeth Centre, and Ballarat Library.

Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins visited Sovereign Hill last week to mark their installation.

“Pads and tampons are not a luxury, they’re a necessity – this rollout means women and girls right across Victoria won’t have to miss work or school because they can’t afford them,” Ms Hutchins said.

More than 150,000 packs were dispensed across the state in the first year of the program.

Local governments throughout Victoria were asked to nominate potential sites for the machines to ensure they match the community’s needs.

To view a fill list of locations, visit freepadsandtampons.vic.gov.au.