UNCLE TOBYS Great Grows Here Community Grants Program to Help Men’s Sheds Grow Greatness in the Riverina & Indigo Shire OVERVIEW UNCLE TOBYS has been fuelling with the goodness of wholegrain snacks and cereals for 125 years. Produced in the small town of , on the NSW and Victorian border, the UNCLE TOBYS team are passionate about helping to build thriving and resilient communities in the region they operate in. To support this commitment, the UNCLE TOBYS team work together with the Australian Men’s Shed Association by standing shoulder-to-shoulder to promote health and wellbeing in regional communities. With a focus on the Riverina (NSW) and Indigo Shire (VIC), the partnership focusses on increasing awareness of Men’s Sheds and aims to address social inclusion and meaningful participation. In 2018, UNCLE TOBYS supported various initiatives including the amplification of the R U OK? message throughout the Riverina region, the facilitation of 156 Men’s health checks at Australia’s biggest agricultural event, Henty Field Day and, for the first time, the distribution of $14,000 in grants to fund six grassroots community projects. After such a great response to the grants program last year, the initiative is running again in 2019 to provide Men’s Shed’s with further resources for goodwill community projects. UNCLE TOBYS Heads of Business Lisa May and Spencer Bartlet believe that “helping to nurture thriving and resilient communities is at the heart of the brand. And by supporting the Australian Men’s Shed Association we know we are helping provide meaningful activities for the local community, many of whom are staff, friends, families and farmers.” AMSA Executive Officer, David Helmers says “our partnership with UNCLE TOBYS is truly significant because it enables us to tangibly increase services and facilities for shedders across the Riverina and Indigo Shire. Like UNCLE TOBYS, the health and wellbeing of the community is paramount. A Men’s Shed is much more than four walls. Those walls often enable important conversations to take place, friendships to be forged and provide much needed support for many men.” 2018 UNCLE TOBYS GREAT GROWS HERE GRANT RECIPIENTS:  Griffith Shed for Men GRIFFITH (NSW) – Building a Chicken coop for the local Lake Wyangan School.  Gundagai Men’s Shed GUNDAGAI (NSW) – Creating Gundagai's first Community Garden. Growing a small yet manageable orchard, raised wicking beds, and native flowering trees to attract pollinators.  Leeton Shire Men’s Shed LEETON (NSW) – Providing outdoor seating and table-sets to accommodate able bodied, special needs and wheel-chair bound children for the Gralee Support School for handicapped children.  Narrandera Shed for Men NARRANDERA (NSW) – Building Music cupboard for St Joseph's Primary School to store valuable musical instruments. Also building creative and sustainable infrastructure for Grong Grong Earth Park.  The Quinty Men’s Shed URANQUINTY (NSW) – Funding community education workshops on Suicide Awareness and Prevention and Common Misunderstandings in the use of Medicines.  Rutherglen Men’s Shed RUTHERGLEN (VIC) – Construction of park bench seating around Lake King, and decorations for the township to help locals and visitors to further enjoy the area and getting outdoors.  Wahgunyah & District Men’s Shed WAHGUNYAH (VIC) – Building breeding boxes for Rutherglen Landcare and benches for walking and bike trails.

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The 2019 UNCLE TOBYS Great Grows Here Grants Programme The 2019 UNCLE TOBYS Great Grows Here Grant applications are open to AMSA member Men’s Sheds located in the Riverina (NSW) and Indigo Shire (VIC). 1. When does it Open and close? Opens Monday 11thMarch 2019 Closes Friday 5th April 2019 Grants Announced Tuesday 16th April 2019

Applicants will have four weeks to complete and lodge your application.

2. Who can apply? Men’s Sheds who are members of the Australian Men’s Shed Association and are located within the Riverina or Indigo Shire are eligible to apply.

The Riverina The Riverina region generally comprises the areas of NSW:  West of the Great Dividing Range  In the drainage basin of the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers  Northern boundary determined by the Lachlan River catchment  Along the Murray to the south, the Riverina borders  To the West, at the confluence of the Murray & Murrumbidgee Rivers

The Indigo Shire Towns include , , Wahgunyah, Rutherglen, Chiltern, , and Barnawartha

3. How much can I apply for? UNCLE TOBYS is offering seven grants each valued at $2,000

4. What can I apply for? The UNCLE TOBYS/AMSA partnership focus is increasing awareness of Men’s Sheds and aims to address social inclusion and meaningful participation. Men’s Sheds are invited to lodge an Application if they are planning or currently working on a major community goodwill project.

5. What is a Major Community Goodwill Project? Men’s Sheds across Australia have been involved in a large variety of community goodwill activities – these include but are not limited to: i. Building picnic tables, chairs, pergola, garden beds for the local Community Garden/Park/local pre-school/Aged Care facility ii. Building 'Buddy Benches' (also called Friendship Seats) for primary schools within the area- a strategy to address bullying. If a student is being bullied/sad/lonely, he or she sits on the bench- other students and/or staff will be able to more easily identify a student in distress and go and sit with them iii. Restoration work at the local cemetery, town landmarks e.g. War Memorial iv. Designing and building a Library Tree for the local Library or school v. Garden beautification at local parks or Planter boxes and seating for the main street vi. Chicken Shed for the local school

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vii. Bird and mammal breeding boxes for local government, Landcare and wildlife groups viii. ‘Little Libraries’ – post mounted weather protected free sharing libraries ix. Mentoring at risk youth or young men with disabilities x. Restoration of heritage items that are significant within the community

6. How do I apply? 1. Complete the UNCLE TOBYS Community Goodwill Programme Round Two 2019 Application Form (available on the AMSA website OR email [email protected] to request the documents). 2. Ensure all sections are completed and provide as much detail as possible. 3. Make sure you have attached a quote for the requested items 4. When completed, email your application to [email protected] by Friday 5th April 2019 5. In the Subject line of the email- please write UNCLE TOBYS Great Grows Here Grant Application

7. Who selects the successful applicants? There will be two steps in the evaluation process: 1. Initially the applications will be reviewed by a Panel at AMSA to make sure they comply and contain sufficient information 2. Shortlisted applicants will be then forwarded to UNCLE TOBYS who will make the final decision on the successful applicants.

8. How will applicants be notified? i. UNCLE TOBYS and AMSA will align on selected applicants. ii. AMSA will contact all applicants iii. An update will be available on the AMSA website mid-April. iv. The grant money will be deposited by AMSA into your Shed bank account as per the details provided in your application form Please ensure that you have provided the correct banking details before lodging your application.

9. If you have any questions about the programme, eligibility of your location and /or community project, the Application Form or the process, please contact AMSA:

For more information: Email [email protected] Phone: 1300 550 009

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Attachment: 2019 UNCLE TOBYS Great Grows Here Grants Application Form

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