Corangamite Moyne Library Service branch users now have access to free pad and tampon packs to support the dignity of our community and visitors across the region.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that more than 1000 women across Moyne and Corangamite Shires can't afford the period products they need every month.
Corangamite Mayor Kate Makin said periods are a normal part of life, with access to free sanitary products being essential to health and wellbeing.
"Many of our Corangamite libraries have had sanitary product vending machines installed as part of the State Government's Free Pads and Tampons in Public Places program," Cr. Makin said.
"We're very pleased to be providing access to the free sanitary products, when people need them most, in familiar safe spaces like our libraries," she said.
Moyne Mayor, Karen Foster echoed Cr Makin's sentiments and said pads and tampons weren't a luxury and Victorians should be able to access them whenever and wherever they need.
"That's why we're incredibly happy to support this discreet new service in our Moyne libraries providing free sanitary products, so women don't have to miss school, work, social activities or other aspects of community life," Cr. Foster said.
"This program, which is now in its statewide rollout phase, has filtered out to the regions making pads and tampons even more accessible at locations such as public hospitals, TAFEs and staffed train stations along with our public libraries," she said.
Products will be dispensed in 'packs', allowing users to access 'one for now and at least one for later'. The machines feature a time-out period, to ensure fair access, prevent excessive sampling and allow everyone to access products when they need them.
Vending machine locations in Moyne and Corangamite:
•Camperdown Library
•Derrinallum Library
•Koroit Library
•Port Fairy Library
•Mortlake Library
•Terang Library
•Timboon Library
To find more vending machine locations and to learn about to program, click here.
