02 May 2018 McIvor Times, Heathcote VIC (General News) THREE Heathcote community groups have it made in the shade. As part of the State Governments community shade grant program Heathcote Pony Club, the Heathcote Pool committee and Heathcote Community Childrens Services have received grants for shade sails. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced more than $70,000 in funding through the program after delivering $650,000 for Heathcotes first child care centre. Ms Symes called for further funding in the hope of providing the centre with a shade sail and a grant was approved for $50,000. The Heathcote Community Pool Project will receive a $20,000 grant and Heathcote and District Pony Club will receive more than $1000. Im very pleased the Heathcote local community and sporting clubs have been successful in the latest round of shade grants, Ms Symes said. More shaded areas at our local community centres and sporting clubs are a simple way to protect our kids from the harmful effects of UV radiation and prevent skin cancers. This forms part of the State Governments $15 million skin cancer prevention initiatives including $5 million for Sun Smart campaigns and $10 million in grants for shade in public places and government schools. We are delighted. The funding will provide the necessary built and natural shade protection to ensure the health and safety of our children and child care staff, Bunbunarik Heathcote Childrens Hubs Sandra Slatter said. Skin cancer is a largely preventable disease, however, an estimated 40,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in Victoria alone. Caption Text: ? IN THE SHADE Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes and Bunbunarik Heathcote Childrens Hubs Sandra Slatter.Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.