Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The Collinsville Men’s Shed team rejoicing with Dale Last MP and Mayor Ry Collins. Photo supplied: Mayor Ry Collins
Collinsville Men’s Shed has opened a new $400,000 facility, giving members room to fire up the tools without drowning out a conversation and making it easier for more locals to join in.
Since opening 10 years ago, the Collinsville Men’s Shed has become an important part of how the town supports men’s mental health.
This much-needed upgrade saw about $320,000 go towards the new purpose-built workshop, with a further $80,000 spent on improvements including a new kitchen, better pathways and security, and equipment such as a mobile sawmill, routers and welders.
“It caught us totally off guard,” said Collinsville Men’s Shed Treasurer Robert Northway.
“We weren’t aware that we were being offered the grant.”
In the old shed, even a simple chat could be cut short by someone switching on a machine.
“It just wasn’t workable because you couldn’t turn a machine on and hear people talking in the other area,” Northway said.
With a separate workshop now in place, the club plans to set up a recreation room where members can play pool or darts and hold mental health sessions away from the noise of the machinery.
Other upgrades have helped make the club more inclusive, with ramps and accessible toilets improving access, as well as new women’s toilets making the shed more welcoming for women who want to get involved.
The club hopes the changes will encourage more women to join its Thursday and Saturday sessions, where members can show them how to use the tools.
“We want to make an inclusive men’s shed,” Robert said.
Member for Burdekin Dale Last MP and Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins joined locals for the official opening, celebrating how the upgrades would help the shed build on its role in the community.
“Men’s Sheds provide connection, friendship, practical skills and social wellbeing, while also supporting other community groups, schools and projects,” said Mayor Collins.
“Dale first raised the opportunity with me less than 12 months ago, so it’s great to see what can be achieved through partnership.
“Thanks to the Queensland Government for the funding, our Council team for making it happen, and Ellis and the Collinsville Men’s Shed team for their work and advocacy.”
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