Men’s health gets a boost

Geelong health insurance company GMHBA has joined forces with the Geelong & District Community Enterprise to fund a vital community service that supports men’s health on the Surf Coast.

The Torquay Men’s Shed provides a focus for men to develop friendships, share knowledge and skills and get involved in various activities. It also aims to prevent men from falling victim to social isolation and depression, by keeping them socially connected.

GMHBA has committed $2,400 towards the Torquay Men’s Shed and this has been matched by the Torquay Community Enterprise. The combined donation will ensure that a co-ordinator for the Men’s Shed in Torquay can continue to be employed to run the program for the duration of 2009.

GMHBA Chief Executive Officer Mark Valena said GMHBA was proud to have formed a partnership with the Torquay Community Enterprise. 

“The funding provided within this partnership is being put to good use by delivering projects that address the health needs of residents in Torquay and the Surf Coast. The Torquay Men’s Shed is the first project that GMHBA has funded under this partnership and we anticipate that GMHBA’s participation will assist in addressing the growing needs of both younger and older men in the area who face social isolation in the rapidly expanding region,” he said.

The Torquay Community Enterprise has welcomed GMHBA on board as a funding partner. Chairman Dean Webster said the enterprise was delighted that the project would now be able to continue, as a result of GMHBA’s support.

“The Men’s Shed in Torquay was in danger of closing down as a result of a shortage of funding, but with GMHBA’s support, we have been able to ensure that it continues to provide an oasis for local men, one which enables them to be an integral part of their local community,” he said.

GMHBA is one of Australia’s oldest and most respected health insurance funds and has been insuring the health of individuals across the Geelong and Surf Coast since 1934.  The Torquay Community Enterprise is an initiative of the Torquay branch of the Bendigo Bank. It generates funds from a variety of sources and invests them back into the local community.

 

 

 

TCE News

National Health Fund provider GMHBA is now on board the Torquay Community Enterprise as a major Community Sponsor providing health grants totalling $5,000 each year for 2009 and 2010.