More shade for Buninyong Primary School

More students will be protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays, thanks to the Victorian Government installing more sunshades in school playgrounds and outdoor areas.

Michaela Settle Member for Buninyong today announced that Buninyong Primary School was a successful participant in the $1.3 million round of the School Shade Grants Program.

The grants are available to schools to build new shade structures, repair existing structures, or create natural shade by planting trees and purchase sun protective items including hats and sunscreen.

The children, teachers and families of Buninyong Primary School will have more shade in their busy playground thanks to a $21,220 grant to install four large shade sails. The overall sail area is 13 x 14-meters with four large separate shades surrounding a central pole.

When used alongside other sun protection measures such as sunscreen and clothing, shade structures are the best defense and can reduce overall exposure to UV radiation by up to 75 per cent.

Through this program, the Government is helping children to be sun smart and prevent skin cancer, while still embracing the outdoors and keeping fit, active and healthy.

It is important children and teenagers stay protected from the sun as these are critical periods when exposure to UV radiation is more likely to contribute to skin cancer later in life. Schools play an important role teaching effective SunSmart behaviours from an early age.

The School Shade Grants Program is complemented by the Community Shade Grants Program, which provides shade for community organisations. Together, these programs have awarded 1,429 grants across Victoria, totalling almost $13.5 million.

It forms part of the Government’s ambitious Victorian Cancer Plan 2020-24 which sets out a target to halve the proportion of Victorians diagnosed with preventable cancers by 2040.

Quote attributable to Member for Michaela Settle Member for Buninyong

 “It’s great for kids to spend time playing outdoors and keeping active. This grant means Buninyong Primary school children can still enjoy the outdoors while having the necessary shade to be protected from the sun.”

 “Skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer in Australia. It’s important we give young Victorians the protection they need to stay SunSmart.”

Quote attributable to Bernie Conlan Principal of Buninyong Primary School

 “Earlier this year we were very sad to lose a very large Cyprus tree, which was planted late in the nineteenth century. That tree had provided shade and shelter for students, parents and community members over many years.”

“We are delighted to be a recipient of this grant, which will enable us to reinstate some shade and shelter to this much used part of our playground.