Member for Page Kevin Hogan was handing out the love and the dollars to the people of Dunoon today when two significant grants were announced to the Dunoon United Football Club and the Dunoon Mens Shed.

Mr Hogan announced a $32,200 grant to build new female change rooms for players and referees.

“I am very pleased to be able to support the Club with this funding,” Mr Hogan said.

“It will be used to construct a referee room for female match officials and will also provide sun protection.”

“Currently there are no facilities and this is a real barrier for female participation.”

“I congratulate Dunoon United on this project, it will benefit the club and the whole community.”

Dunoon United Football Club Secretary Rob Gatt said the project was very important for the future of the club. 

“Giving women their own space will increase female participation for both players and officials,” Mr Gatt said.  

"At the moment the referees are sharing a store room which in no way encourages referees which is one of the shortfalls we have"

"Football Far North Coast wants to encourage female participation and the specific rooms we will be building mean that the women will have a dedicated facility to use for changing"

At present there are two change rooms which are shared and have caused awkward moments when there are mens and women's games kicking off at the same time.

The new change rooms are being built by local builder Luke Sullivan and is expected to be completed before the end of the year and hopefully by the end of this season.

The second grant today was a $9,400 grant for the Dunoon Mens Shed was be used to purchase new tools and build an extension to the existing building.

“Men’s Sheds are a vital community assets and play an important role in the lives of many", Mr Hogan said.

“This funding has allowed them to purchase new safety equipment, including new safety glasses, earmuffs, welding helmets, gloves and a wall-mounted First Aid Kit.”

“They also purchased a new planer, a folding table with clamps, a new grinder and a pedestal drill.”

“It is great to see the extension of the shed now complete and being fitted with the new tools.”

“The growth of the group is testament to the work they’re doing in our community.”

Dunoon Mens Shed President Ross McDougall said the extension allows up to 16 men to utilise the facility at one time, this was from a starting point of 6 people when it opened in 2011.

"It's main function is for men from the district to come and meet and socialise which is good for mental health plus produce some products for the community", Ross said.

Next item on the agenda is a new kitchen for the Dunoon Mens Shed.