By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
AS the Noosa Men’s Shed’s first year draws toward a close, the group is celebrating its success in obtaining a grant in excess of $33,000 from the Queensland Gambling Community Benefit Fund.
This grant was sought to enable the construction of a second workshop with a focus on metal work.
Men’s Shed president Peter Magarry said construction would commence within weeks and was expected to be finished well before the close of 2015.
In addition to the grant monies from the benefit fund, the Men’s Shed will fundraise to landscape and equip the building.
Extremely grateful for the grant, the shed’s secretary Ian Broadfoot said the funds create an opportunity to widen the scope of things for the local community group.
“Of our members, about half are interested in woodwork and another significant portion either have skills in or are interested to learn about metal work,” Mr Broadfoot said.
The shedders are currently undergoing discussions as to possible in-house training for the new workshop as well as what facilities to include.
Mr Broadfoot said the new shed was looking to be completed by late September.
With around 70 members, the shed team are hoping that with increased facilities and funding, opening hours and meeting times will increase to allow for greater use of the location.
