BEACHGOERS enjoying the outdoors will get more protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays with shade barriers now being installed at sports clubs, parks, community venues and playgrounds.
Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer and, in 2014, melanoma was the fifth most common cancer in Victoria.
Visiting the Bonbeach Lifesaving Club last week, Health minister Jill Hennessy joined Carrum Labor MP Sonya Kilkenny, and SunSmart Ambassador Catherine Andrews, wife of Premier Daniel Andrews, to announce 323 recipients of grants from the state government’s Community Shade Grants program.
The club will receive $3500 to buy portable shade to protect nippers and professional life savers from the sun while they patrol the beach.
“Skin cancer is common with 40,000 new cases diagnosed in Victoria each year,” Ms Andrews said. “The good news is that it’s also one of our most preventable cancers.
“It’s vital that we keep slipping on a shirt, slopping on sunscreen, slapping on a hat, sliding on our sunnies and seeking shade – being sun smart could save your life.”
Using shade is a simple, effective way to reduce the likelihood of developing skin cancer. Data from the Cancer Council shows that the top three outdoor activity locations lacking shade are public parks or gardens (70 per cent), local pools (67 per cent) and sports centres (62 per cent).
The state government has committed $15 million to skin cancer prevention initiatives, including $5 million for SunSmart campaigns and $10 million in grants for shade in public places.
The grants will be used to build new shade, repair existing shade, purchase portable shade or create natural shade by planting trees, as well as buying hats and sunscreen.
“Even though survival rates are at an all-time high, there are still too many Victorians dying of cancer,” Ms Hennessy said.
“These grants will provide communities with more shaded areas so everyone can enjoy their time outdoors safely.”
Ms Kilkenny said the grants would mean more shade and protection for nippers and life savers when they’re out on patrol. “We all love spending time outdoors, but it is important we are adequately protected from the sun, especially between September to April when UV levels are high.”
Priority for the grants was given to rural and regional areas with high rates of skin cancer and mortality, and to areas of socio-economic disadvantage. At least one grant was awarded in each of the 79 Local Government Areas.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 24 February 2016
