Buderim’s Men Shed has secured $500,000 in funding for the construction of their new premises.
As the largest Men’s Shed in Australia, Buderim Men’s Shed is a non-profit, non-commercial community organisation providing a safe and friendly meeting place for men to work on projects.
A major objective of the Men’s Shed is to advance the health, well being and social inclusion of all members through activities such as woodwork, toy making, metal work, and gardening.
The money was secured through the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) and will be put towards the construction of their new premises.
The Men’s Shed was the second successful application from the Sunshine Coast, after the Events Centre Caloundra announced a dollar-for-dollar partnership between the Sunshine Coast Council and the BBRF to secure $6m in funding.
The redevelopment project will include refurbs of the main entrance, a foyer upgrade, improvements to the box office, bar counters and function room and more. Acoustic upgrades to theatre walls and the ceiling are also scheduled, while heating and air-conditioning and disability access will all be delivered.
The BBRF program is set to provide $297.7 million in funding invested over four years for infrastructure and community investment projects that will create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future.
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Sunshine Coast CEO Darrell Edwards was thrilled at the announcement of BBRF funding awarded to both Buderim Men’s Shed and the Events Centre Caloundra.
“RDA Sunshine Coast was excited to support these projects as one of our core roles is to support the growth and development of regional communities across the Sunshine Coast, by connecting organisations to take advantage of government programs, policies and initiatives,” said Mr Edwards.
“The Buderim Men’s Shed, and Caloundra Events Centre play a crucial role in supporting, and strengthening the Sunshine Coast community and we are happy to see funding go to such great causes.”
RDA Sunshine Coast Chair Tony Riddle echoed Mr Edwards comments.
“What a fantastic result for the Sunshine Coast.” Mr Riddle said.
“It is a great reward for all the people who contributed to the application including Shanna and Darrell from RDA Sunshine Coast, the Events Centre and council staff, the Buderim Men’s Shed volunteers, our state representatives who wrote letters of support and also our federal representatives, Andrew Wallace and Ted O’Brien who are vocal in promoting the coast in Canberra.”
Our Regional Development Minister Fiona Nash must also be congratulated for the time that she has spent getting around the regions to understand the key issues and the challenges facing the region.