The Russell Island Men's Shed group are celebrating with the recent announcement of a $31,818.18 grant that should make a men's shed a reality on the island.
The grant has come by way of Jupiter's Casino which annually distributes funds to worthy causes as part of its Community Benefit Fund.
The Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund distributes funds by way of grants to non profit community organisations for projects which are of benefit to the community at large.
To celebrate the funding announcement, men's shed supporters gathered recently on the site off Jackson Road, behind the Russell Island Fire Station.
The land was made available to the group by Redland City Council via a lease structure in 2012.
The grant came about as a result of a recent submission to the funding program, after previous rejections.
The successful submission was prepared by island resident Alby Sutton with team support from Rod Young, Bryan Atkins, Mark Speerin ,Tony Controneo from BICS and Allison from Career Employment Australia.
The men's shed group have decided to further apply for a council Capital Works Grant, as well.
If successful, this would provide enough funds to build a functioning shed complete with a kitchen area, a toilet and shower with its own septic system and 3 phase power.
It is expected work could start on the men's shed within the next 12 months.
The men’s shed movement is primarily a men's health organisation designed to help ageing men and others cope with retirement, loneliness and lack of interests.
The aim is for the men to feel useful again and to get support from their mates in a workshop environment, making and selling some really 'cool stuff' in the process.
Most sheds also benefit from men’s shed association organised talks including “a spanner in the works” program which has been very successful involving health checks be a visiting GP, eye and hearing checks along with a myriad of other programs.
The Australian Men’s Shed Association has over 1000 registered sheds Australia wide and the Russell Island shed is the 500th.
There has been a massive 300 % growth in the last three years making the men's shed program the largest male-orientated organisation in Australia.
For more Mens Shed information go to http://www.mensshed.org/home/.aspx
See our Facebook page for some great project ideas https://www.facebook.com/RussellIslandMensShed