Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan today announced a Federal Government grant of $6000 to help build a Men’s Shed at the Kyogle Showground.
“Men are not encouraged to talk about their physical and mental health but a Men’s Shed gives them a space where they are comfortable to talk to other men about whatever is on their mind,” Mr Hogan said.
“The value of the Australian Government’s National Shed Development Programme cannot be overstated. It is an extremely popular programme as can be seen by the number of Men’s Sheds which have popped up around the country, and now Kyogle has its own.”
The grant will be used to lay a concrete slab for the Kyogle District Men’s Shed with the Kyogle Showground Trust providing the structure.
“I would like to thank the Kyogle Family Support Services for driving this terrific project,” Mr Hogan said.
The project will create a ‘safe place’ free of discrimination and judgement for all of Kyogle’s men.
Activities likely to be undertaken at the new Kyogle Men’s Shed are restoration of old bike and toys, and using recycled materials to create items for resale to fundraise for the community.
The co-ordinator of the Kyogle District Mens’ Shed, Steve, said the group also identified a project involving the manufacture of wheelchairs from recycled materials that would be send to Africa.
He said the group also hoped to sell many of its recycled creations at Kyogle’s weekly Saturday market.