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Rochester Community House has received $25,500 funding from the Victorian Government to extend the Men’s Shed at the Rochester and Elmore District Health Service.

Member for Rodney Paul Weller said the Men’s Shed was successful in obtaining funding under the Strengthening Men’s Sheds Program.

Phase one and two of the extension includes the structure but not the fit-out and comes to $40,500.

Rochester Community House is also contributing more than $10,000 towards the project.

Men’s Shed co-ordinator Bob Andrews said the shed needed to be extended to cater for the growing number of users.

There were 30 men using the shed every week and the six-bench shed accommodates 10 people at once.

Mr Andrews said there was not enough space in the shed to make larger items such as chook pens which have to be assembled outdoors.

He said the extension would allow them to spread out indoors and the men could work under shelter.

REDHS chief executive Matt Sharp said he was happy the Men’s Shed had increased their days from two to five in the past 18 months and was pleased aged-care and other day program attendees could use the facility

Community House co-ordinator Amanda Logie, who applied for the grant, said she was ecstatic to learn it was successful as State Government grants were competitive.

Grant recipients were also required to provide funding or in-kind support to the project.

Rochester Community House provided an additional $5000 in volunteer hours and project management of the building.

Mr Weller said it was a tremendous effort given the difficult times faced by the community over the past two years.

‘‘It’s a popular way for local blokes to meet and talk, work on various projects, and stay involved in the community,’’ he said.