Period product vending machine installed in Ballan

MORE free sanitary pads and tampons are now available in Ballan.

The period products are located in a vending machine inside the town’s neighbourhood house.

Ruby Glew, community development coordinator at Ballan Neighbourhood House, said the items were needed in the area.

“We’ve had free pads and tampons and sanitary items in our food bank for a year now,” she said.

“And this was just an expansion on that through the government’s Better Health program.”

The vending machine was installed last month.

Its installation is part of the Free Pads and Tampons in Public Places initiative being run by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

Glew said knowing that the pads and tampons were available was comforting.

“Knowing that if people don’t have access to it, they’ve now got two avenues,” she said.

“They’ve either got our food bank service or they’ve got the vending machine in the neighbourhood house during our opening hours.”

The vending machine is located in the Ballan Neighbourhood House’s disabled toilet.

Glew said the machine was easy to use and restock.

“They just touch the button, select the product they want, and then it gets dispensed,” she said.

She said it was crucial pads and tampons were made easily available.

“It’s not a luxury,” she said. “It’s essential to everybody’s health and wellbeing. And the Victorian government making it free across the state I think is wonderful.

“They even have a map on the Better Health website showing you where you can access the free pads and tampons across the state.”

More information and an up-to-date list of participating locations is available at betterhealth.vic.gov.au/free-pads-and-tampons