Men and women involved in community sheds across Australia are set to benefit from tax changes unlocking fundraising potential.
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From July 1, the Federal Government will make donations to Men's and Women's Sheds tax deductible.
The Sheds will join charities including the Red Cross, World Vision and The Smith Family which already have this status, known as a Deductible Gift Recipient.
"Anything that makes donating to charities a little easier is a benefit," Katherine Men's Shed president Cameron Smith said.
"At the moment we have a reasonable amount of Katherine businesses who are happy to donate, so I can see that it would help along those smaller donations."
The Katherine Men's Shed had its official opening earlier this month, after just one year of vigorous fundraising.
The steering committee raised an impressive $35,000 through donations.
It was a big feat, according to the Men's Shed secretary Chris Dixon, made possible through the community support and many small donations.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he is expecting the new changes will help secure the financial stability of some existing Sheds, allow for the expansion of others or even assist in the creation of more Men's and Women's Sheds across Australia.
"Last year I had the pleasure of officially opening the North Balwyn Community Men's Shed in Victoria and had the chance to hear first-hand from many of the locals about what the Men's Shed meant to them," he said.
"For some, it was a place to build and create, for others it was a reason to get up every day.
"This is just one example of the invaluable support that around 1,000 Sheds provide, from the Rockhampton Men's Shed in Queensland, to the Exmouth Men's Shed in Western Australia and the Kings Meadows Men's Shed in Tasmania."
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the Sheds were the centre of so many Australian communities, providing a welcoming place for comradery.
"Men's and Women's Sheds are a success story that has seen a staple of the Australian backyard evolve into a vital part of the Australian community," he said.
"We are proud to be able to provide this support to Men's and Women's Sheds and in turn to our communities. Bringing Australians together is part of our plan for a stronger economy."
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