Margie Maccoll
With a vision to empower women to take up tools and strengthen their independence, a small group has been chipping away for more than six years to establish Noosa’s first Women’s Shed and now a major milestone has given greater hope to the project.
Unitywater has provided Noosa Women’s Shed with a deed of licence to occupy a partly cleared parcel of land off Wallum Lane adjacent to the Noosa Men’s Shed.
With drive and ambition but no building on the land the women are calling on the community to help them establish their base.
Group president Robyn Smith said they were “open to all possibilities”.
Options include moving someone’s unwanted building on to the site or designing and constructing their own. All possibilities require money and expertise, which they need, and they are particularly keen to hear from women in the construction industry to assist.
Robyn said the group was founded by Heather Lambert and Ann McComb and Ann’s daughter Fiona whose expertise was invaluable.
The group was devastated when Fiona passed away last year.
Robyn said the group wanted to keep going with the project but no one was keen to take on the role of president so the radiographer put her hand up.
The Women’s Shed has operated out of several locations including Noosa U3A and CWA at Tewantin and met at people’s homes. But the use of tools is noisy and requires a space large enough for work.
“Members decided we should have a shed,” she said.
The members have already received assistance, particularly from Noosa Men’s Shed and Noosa Council.
They received a Noosa Council grant enabling them to purchase a trailer and some tools. The Mens Shed have offered to kit out the trailer and Noosa Council has offered a space for them to park it.
Robyn said the Mens Shed has also offered to help them with skills workshops and assistance to build their own shed.
To raise funds the group are putting together a raffle.
If anyone has an unwanted building on their property or can assist in any way contact Noosa Women’s Shed on email at noosawshed@gmail.com
