Community & Business
25 July, 2025
Men’s Shed helps its Taree brothers
THE strong bonds that connect men’s sheds across Australia has been demonstrated by the Yungaburra group who will donate $1000 to their Taree brothers.
The Taree Showgrounds Men’s Shed in New South Wales was destroyed when floodwaters reached 189cm throughout the facility in May. Damage far exceeded that of the 2021 flood, which reached 90cm, the highest many members thought it would ever go.
“This time it was devastating,” secretary Graeme Minett said.
“We lost all our records, our machinery and most of our electrical items.”
The Yungaburra group, which has grown to over 40 members since beginning negotiations with Tablelands Regional Council in 2021 to use the old Memorial Hall, has voted to donate $1000 to the Taree group so it can start again.
Graeme said the Yungaburra men’s shed was growing strongly, with members meeting twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2pm to 6pm, and organising activities at other times, such as walks and shooting range visits.
Recent projects have included renovating park benches for the council and completing work for the local school and kindergarten. The group, which also fundraises at the local pub and receives payment for some community jobs, is awaiting approval to repaint the local bus and picnic shelter.
In a separate community service project, men’s shed members recently dismantled aluminium shade awnings at Carinya Home for the Aged in Atherton, claiming the scrap value in exchange for the labour.
“It was fantastic to see our members together and get this job done,” a spokesperson said.
The two-morning operation required all available hands, with one member volunteering his truck to transport the metal to Cairns.
The organisation received a significant boost this year through a successful grant application to the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, securing close to $100,000 to build a commercial kitchen.
The facility will serve as a fundraising platform for the men’s shed and other non-profit organisations, with an opening planned soon.
“It’s important we give back to the community when we can,” a management committee member said.
