A new facility at the Maleny and District Men’s Sheds is set to commence construction.
Federal Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace, turned the first sod ahead of a new shed at Maleny and District Men’s Sheds on Tuesday.
The facility has been donated by the Australian Defence Force and previously used in Vietnam.
This new resource will allow the expansion of the Men’s Shed services into alternative clean activities such as leatherwork, lead lighting, cards, computers etc, as well as a breakout space for meals and information sessions.
The first turning of the sod comes as Men’s Sheds on the Sunshine Coast are being urged to access funding.
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace encouraged local Men’s Sheds to put in an application for a share of $500,000 nationwide.
“Since 2013, the Federal Government has provided more than $6.4 million to support Men’s Sheds through the program,” Mr Wallace said.
“Since becoming the Federal Member for Fisher, I have been proud to announce over $500,000 in funding for Men’s Sheds across the electorate.”
Maleny and District Men’s Shed Secretary Lindsay Hay said a rising number of retirees in the region has seen increasing demand for the important benefits that the Men’s Shed movement provides.
“These benefits include opportunities to learn new skills or mentor expertise, build a social network and pass time meaningfully in the company of mates,” Mr Hay said.
“But more importantly Men’s Sheds provide a collegiate network of support, advice, and fellowship for men of all ages around their mental and physical health, aspects of wellbeing that men are sometimes reluctant to address.”
“These cannot be practically conducted in the current shed which is dedicated to wood and metal work. Moreover, the existing shed has reached effective capacity.”
