The Shed took delivery of the containers on April 7 after sourcing them from Goulburn Hydraulics after an exhaustive and very wide-ranging search.

They were purchased using a $10,000 grant from the NSW Coalition Government secured and presented by the Member for Burrinjuck, the Hon Katrina Hodgkinson MP in December last year. 

“The Men’s Shed is very grateful to Katrina and her office for facilitating this very generous and most useful assistance to the Shed,” secretary Wayne Stuart said.

“Based on emerging research into the benefits that Men’s Sheds provide in their communities, investments that allow Sheds to flourish and do their thing, have an almost immediate impact in reducing the calls on governments in a number of other areas especially including physical and mental health and support services.” 

Mr Stuart said the containers will be used for storage, allowing the premises to be reorganised to provide a more efficient and safer working space, particularly for the metal working area.  

“With the Shed’s membership currently at 100, the new containers will meet the clear need for more space and this big improvement will allow the Shed to continue to meet its continually evolving needs,” he said.

A barbecue was held following the delivery and placement of the containers and Shed president Len McGuigan thanked a long list of members, the mayor and council staff, the NSW Government and local businesses, all of whom had contributed in many and various ways to this successful outcome.

“Next time you drive past the Shed, look over and admire the Yass Valley Men’s Shed’s shiny new containers.”