Jo, Amanda and Denise from the Redland Bay Women’s Shed.
Blokes and sheds are a natural fit – but some women need a shed too, says local vet Amanda McLune.
“The Redland Bay Women’s Shed was founded in September last year, after a conversation with one of my clients, Shelly Rogers, about the urge to make things manually. We thought it would be a good idea to set up a women’s version, having no idea of what we were getting ourselves into. I expected maybe a dozen ladies who’d be interested in working on a project, but at our first meeting, we had a turn-up of 42. There was definitely a need in that area! Shelly became our first president.”
Amanda says that setting up a not-for-profit was a journey of discovery, learning as they went; given the variety of shed organisations, there isn’t one instruction manual that covers them all.
“Affiliation with other like-minded organisations, like the Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) (which gives us access to cheaper insurance) and the Bayside Woodies have helped with support and resources. We started with coffee catch-ups, then the Woodies – who have been awesome – ran classes for us, teaching us basic carpentry skills and tool handling, making boxes and stools.”
The group has acquired the resources to buy tools and a trailer from which to use and store them through various grants, and the toy makers from Redland Bay Men’s Shed have generously donated a lot of equipment. The Women’s Shed will access their newfound bounty as soon as they have acquired one more vital asset: a shed.
“The problem with a lot of otherwise suitable properties is that they have a rule about no mess, no noise, both of which are associated with woodwork,” says Amanda.
“Understandably, because the organisation is so young, they want to be sure that we’re viable before they make extra effort to find us a facility.
“In the meantime, we have a really good committee, including an events manager who will coordinate events within the group. We have a website under construction and we’re keeping the social meetings going; combating social isolation is part of our charter.
“Future projects could include toy-making for hospitalised children – as the toy makers do – and making bird boxes, and we can seek community support in providing tailored programs to meet member interests, such as disaster preparedness, car maintenance, and basic DIY skills. Lady tradies would be welcomed with open arms, but all women, no matter their skill level, are welcome.”
For more information, email [email protected].
