THE state government has given $233,000 to 24 Wimmera clubs and organisations to install shade sails, trees and other sun-protecting infrastructure.
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Funding has come from the third round of the state government’s Community Shade Grant Program.
Horsham Panthers Rugby League Club received $2,200 to place sails at its home ground, the center of Horsham Racecourse.
Club coach and president Rob Gascoyne said he hoped the funding would pay for up to four sails.
“It will be fantastic to have throughout the summer, we couldn’t do without it,” he said.
”We plan to put the sails over the kiosk, and over the benches where the players and spectators sit.
“This ground is used by other groups too, such as the Horsham District Soccer Club, so it will be used by the community fairly regularly.”
The Wimmera’s biggest recipient was Stawell Gold Club, which received $35,000 to build a permanent veranda around the part of the clubhouse.
Secretary Graeme Trickey said the club greatly appreciated the funding.
“This will help us environmentally because it will reduce the heat coming in and allow us to use less power,” he said.
“We have over 200 members all up - both golfers and bowler - and they will definitely get a lot of use out this.
“People will be able to sit out on the deck and enjoy the surrounding area after they've played."
Mr Trickey said he saw the funding as a reward for the club's hard-working volunteers.
"They have been doing so much work to get the club back up to a steady financial position," he said.
"Volunteers do all the work to upkeep the club, the only paid workers we have are the bar staff.
“Their work is greatly appreciated by all the members."
Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said shade structures were the best defence against UV radiation when used with other sun protection measures such as sunscreen and protective clothing.
“Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent, yet largely preventable cancers affecting Victorians which makes it really important to be sun smart,” she said.
“Our shade grants are making a real difference to local communities and sporting clubs in placed like Horsham, Stawell, Murtoa and Warracknabeal.
It is estimated that 40,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in Victoria every year.
In 2016, 256 Victorians died from melanoma.