Sunnybank District Community Men's Shed Inc

The  Sunnybank RSL Sub Branch made the initial attempt to start a Men’s Shed in Sunnybank in 2007/8.  The challenge of finding a home for a shed led to the idea being put on hold when the estimated cost became prohibitive. The Sunnybank Uniting Church heard about the attempt and, seeing it as a way to contribute to the health and wellbeing of men in our community, offered the use an old bus shed.  At a public meeting in 2012, a new committee was formed and new life was injected into the dream of a Men’s Shed in the Sunnybank area.
The legal side of re-zoning and reaching a long-term lease agreement with the Uniting Church was completed in 2013.  The Shed is operating four mornings each week with 25 to 35 men attending, has a membership now over 100 and many projects in the pipeline.  The combined support of the RSL Sub Branch and the Sunnybank Uniting Church gives a solid base for the members.
2016 was a big year for us with a second shed and a large covered area between the sheds.  We thank the Queensland Community Benefits Fund and Brisbane City Council for their support with these major developments.  A Federal Government grant enabled us to equip the Shed with modern professional woodworking equipment and a grant from The Department of Veterans Affairs provided a superb dust extraction system for the woodworking.  In 2017 we developed a new covered area for morning tea for our growing membership and in 2018 a new office, kitchen and landscaping with the support of the Community Benefits Fund and Brisbane City Council.  Solar power is planned for 2019.
In addition to woodworking we now offer metal and leather work and wood burning.  We have also, with the help of The Edge at the Queensland State Library, set up a computer room and are running courses to teach members how to maintain their computers.  Other classes on things like web browsing and the use of email will follow.  An exciting new activity for us is the formation of a Shed Music Group in September 2018.  The musos get together on two Saturday mornings each month for a jam session.
Our local Council, State, and Federal politicians support the shed.  Their assistance is greatly appreciated.
The future looks good for the Sunnybank District Community Men’s Shed Inc.

Activities include Wood, metal and leather work, wood burning, spoon carving and gardening plus lots of tea, coffee and chat. Once each month we have a bbq lunch with a guest speaker.