MOUNT Duneed Regional Primary School is one of five schools across the region that will improve shade in the schoolyard through a state government grant.<\/p>\n
Last week, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney announced the five schools would share in more than $102,000 of funding from the School Shade Grants Program.<\/p>\n
The $1.4 million program provides grants to schools to build new shade, repair or replace existing shade structures, or create natural shade by planting trees.<\/p>\n
Mt Duneed Regional Primary School will receive $27,500 for a built shade structure.<\/p>\n
The state government has also opened the latest round of the Community Shade Grants Program, providing much needed shade in public areas such as sports clubs, parks and playgrounds.<\/p>\n
Skin cancer is a largely preventable disease, but there are still an estimated 40,000 new cases diagnosed each year in Victoria alone.<\/p>\n
Melanoma is the most deadly type of skin cancer. In Victoria in 2015, 2,712 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed and 379 died from the disease.<\/p>\n
Shade can help reduce overall exposure to UV radiation by up to 75 per cent when used alongside other sun protection strategies such as sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and protective clothing.<\/p>\n
\u201cSkin cancer is a major health issue for Australians, yet it\u2019s mostly preventable. Schools play a critical role in helping kids learn how to be sun smart from an early age,\u201d Ms Tierney said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore shaded areas in schools are a simple way to protect our kids from the harmful effects of UV radiation and prevent skin cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn these warmer months, we\u2019re all looking forward to spending more time outdoors. I urge everyone to be sun smart \u2013 it\u2019s as easy as slipping on a shirt, slopping on the sunscreen, slapping on a hat, sliding on some sunnies, and seeking shade. It could save your life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eligible community organisations including sports clubs, local councils and not-for-profit community groups can now apply for a Community Shade Grant at www2.health.vic.gov.au\/community-shade-grants.<\/p>\n
Applications close at 5pm on November 30.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MOUNT Duneed Regional Primary School is one of five schools across the region that will improve shade in the schoolyard through a state government grant. Last week, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney announced the five schools would share in more than $102,000 of funding from the School Shade Grants Program. The $1.4 million program […]<\/p>\n