The state government’s Access Policy Roadmap is now state-wide, ensuring women and girls right across Victoria have equal access to sporting facilities and opportunities.

The state’s minister for community sport, Ros Spence recently announced the statewide adoption of the policy.

All of Victoria’s 79 councils and Alpine Resorts Victoria will now adopt the framework for their local communities including the shires of Macedon Ranges, Hepburn, Mount Alexander and Moorabool in Macedon.  

Since being launched in August 2022, the Roadmap is helping councils and their local sporting clubs to create equal access and opportunities for women and girls so all Victorians  can take part in the sports they love.  

As part of the Roadmap, councils must have policies in place to be eligible for community sport program funding.

The policies are tailored to the local community and designed to  achieve long-term change resulting in more equal participation for women and girls.  

Examples include how women and girls will be considered when it comes to allocating community sport facilities, like ovals, changerooms and courts.  

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence:  “Victoria is proud to lead the nation in creating a level playing field for women and girls, so  they have the same access and opportunities as men when it comes playing the sports they  love.”  

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:  “This policy will make a big difference for the women and girls of Macedon, ensuring they  get access to the sport facilities and opportunities they deserve.”

Developed in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria and VicHealth, the Roadmap supports councils with obligations under the Gender Equality Act 2020.

Those interested can learn more about  the Fair Access Policy Roadmap at changeourgame.vic.gov.au/initiatives/fair-access-policy roadmap.  

This story based on a media release from the office of Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas

The state government says it’s supporting the health and well-being of local communities with grants to build and improve men’s sheds in Victoria. 

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas is encouraging applications from Men’s Sheds in Macedon to the 2024-25 Men’s Shed Funding Program grants. 

Grants of up to $100,000 are available to build new men’s sheds – which includes converting a building into a men’s shed – and refurbishing, extending or upgrading existing men’s sheds. 

Men’s sheds are important places for men to connect, socialise, learn new skills and work on projects that give back to their communities. 

They benefit the health and well-being of members through social support, and the ability to work on meaningful projects, talk about issues and seek support from peers in a healthy and inclusive environment. 

Activities for shedders are diverse and range from community projects such as making toys for local childcare groups to assisting with emergency responses and preparedness. 

There are more than 350 men’s sheds across Victoria, with an estimated 20,000 engaged members. The 2024-25 grants are part of ongoing support for men’s sheds through the Men’s Shed Funding Program. 

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “I encourage our local Men’s Sheds to apply. These grants will help men’s sheds grow and welcome new members, providing a place for people across our community to connect and supporting their well-being.” 

Applications for Men’s Shed Funding Program grants are open until 16 October 2024.

Those keen to apply for a grant or get more information can visit vic.gov.au/mens-shed-funding-program.  

The state government says it’s ensuring more world-class performances and creative events will be presented across regional Victoria, with applications now open for the latest round of the Touring Victoria program.

In recent days the Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas invited applications for the program, which
provides grants of between $10,000 and $150,000 for artists and creative organisations to take their productions, performances and exhibitions to regional and outer-metropolitan Victoria.

As well as providing Victorians with access to diverse arts and cultural experiences at their doorstep, the program backs Victorian artists and creative companies to build their profile and audience base across the state while providing an economic boost to the placesthey tour.

Last year, Touring Victoria grants supported six companies to tour more than 20 destinations throughout the state.

The 2024 round of the Touring Victoria program will support artists and shows to hit the road from 1 December 2024. Applications are now open and close on 1 August 2024.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “Through Touring Victoria we are making sure that the best live theatre, music and cultural events can hit the road, and entertain and inspire locals here in Macedon- and across the state.”

“I encourage local artists and creative companies to apply for grants to take their work to communities across the state and look forward to more great creative events and experiences touring locally in the years ahead.

Local women and girls in Macedon are being urged to share their experiences with the state government’s landmark Inquiry into women’s pain.

Member for Macedon and Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas said that for too long, women’s health hadn’t been taken seriously, with women’s pain missed and dismissed.

From debilitating period pain, to endometriosis, to managing the symptoms of menopause – it can be difficult for women and girls to get the diagnosis and support they need.

That’s why the Labor Government is holding a nation-leading inquiry into women’s experiences of pain and its treatment.

Launched in January, the Inquiry into Women’s Pain has heard from more than 9,000 women and girls.

But with four weeks until the survey closes, locals are being encouraged to make sure their experience is counted and their voice is heard.

Women, girls, their carers and healthcare workers can take part by making a submission or completing a survey at https://engage.vic.gov.au/inquiry-into-womens-pain-survey. The survey closes on July 31.

Member for Macedon and Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas: “This inquiry is a chance to make sure your voice is heard and achieve better care for women across our state.”

Skills and achievements of younger Victorians will be on show right across the state later this year at a month-long festival supported by the state government.

Grants of $2000 are now available for youth organisations, local government and schools in
Macedon to partner with Victorians aged 12 to 25 in creating youth-specific events. But the chance to secure one will close soon.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas said funding of $220,000 would be available for
up to 110 events that will be designed for and by young Victorians.

Youth Fest kicks off in September, with the investment aimed at supporting young people to organise
and deliver events, showcase their skills, share ideas, build social connections, and expand their networks.

In 2023, the Youth Fest program funded 111 activities including those focused on art, music,
sport and theatre, as well as recreational and community festivals, giving young Victorians
the chance to have their voices heard.

Applications are open until 15 March. To apply and to find out more about the grant program,
visit https://www.vic.gov.au/youth-fest-grants.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “Victorian Youth Fest gives local young people the chance to forge connections not only with their peers but also their community, as well as to lead positive change.

One in every 11 jobs in regional Victoria exists because of tourism, and the state government says it aims to bring more regional tourism projects to life through its latest round of tourism funding.

The local member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas in recent days has launched the latest round of funding available through the Enabling Tourism Fund, which helps exciting regional tourism ideas get off the ground and ready for investment.

The new round of funding, announced last Friday, will make available up to $8 million to create a pipeline of more tourism infrastructure and more jobs.

Grants between $20,000 and $500,000 are open to tourism businesses, not-for-profit and Traditional
Owner organisations, and more.

The grants will be delivered in two streams: the first providing support to test the concept of a large
new infrastructure project like a feasibility study or masterplan.

The second stream funds detailed design packages, funding strategies or community engagement
plans. Both are vital to attracting greater investment and getting projects off paper.

The fund is guided by five priorities of experiences that Victoria does best – First Peoples-led experiences, wellness, arts and culture, food and drink, and nature.

Applications for the Enabling Tourism Fund are open until Friday, 28 March 2024 with more
information on the grants and the new guide available through the tourism.vic.gov.au website.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “From iconic Hanging Rock to spas and retreats in Daylesford and Hepburn, we know how amazing our local towns are for tourist visitors. These grants are an important step in welcoming more tourists, and supporting our local economy as we share our fantastic region with the world.”

The state government says it’s helping more casual and contract workers access sick and carer’s pay, increasing the number of jobs covered by the Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee and extending the pilot until March 2025.
More than 400 new jobs are now eligible for the nation-leading Sick Pay Guarantee – giving thousands more workers in casual and contract jobs the opportunity to access up to 38 hours a year of sick and carer’s pay.
Casual, contract and self-employed workers including community support workers, taxi and
rideshare drivers, arts workers, childcare and early childhood workers, fitness instructors,
tourism and outdoor recreation workers, factory workers, fruit pickers and hairdressers can
check their eligibility and sign up to the scheme today.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas encouraged local workers to apply for the scheme.
Newly eligible workers can apply for sick and carer’s pay from the day they sign up, and
workers who were eligible in the first phase of the pilot will benefit from an additional year
of the pilot.
The $245.7 million Australian-first initiative aims to reduce workplace illnesses and injuries
and keep businesses safer and more productive.
Since the pilot launched in March 2022, more than 76,000 casual and contract workers have
signed up. In that time, the Sick Pay Guarantee has covered more than 1.8 million hours of
sick and carer’s pay, giving workers the financial security to stay home when they’re sick or
need to care for loved ones. Workers can check their eligibility and sign up online at
vic.gov.au/sickpayguarantee or in the Service Victoria app. Neighbourhood Houses can also
help people to sign up and access the scheme – visit www.nhvic.org.au to find a participating
Neighbourhood House.
Information is available in 19 languages on the Sick Pay Guarantee website. To speak to an
interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask for the Victorian
Sick Pay Guarantee hotline.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “People shouldn’t be forced to choose between going to work sick or putting food on the table – we’re proud to be expanding the Sick Pay Guarantee, because we know how important it is to support locals in Macedon.”
“Insecure work has terrible consequences, and we know how important it is for people to have the support and certainly they need to stay home and recover if they are sick or caring for a loved one.”