Community Group – Financial Assistance - Boggabilla Men’s Shed BBQ Open Day

Northern Gomeroi Aboriginal Corporation (NGAC) will host a community BBQ to celebrate the opening of the Boggabilla Men’s Shed after securing funding from Council’s Public Donations Fund.

The goal of the Open Day is to showcase the activities and outcomes of the Boggabilla Men’s Shed and welcome new members.

The event will include a free barbeque with tea, coffee and bottled water, a tour and introductory session for the Shed.

Chris McGrady, Chairperson of the Boggabilla Men’s Shed commented on how he thinks the Men’s Shed will benefit the Boggabilla community.

“I heard about Men’s Shed Australia and thought how important this would be for our Community to have a place for our men to gather, connect and talk about anything in general and about their own lives and their Health and emotional issues and concerns,” explained Mr McGrady.

“The Men’s Shed give the Men of our Community a purpose, something to wake up to and somewhere to go. It’s a place to let them know they are valued, respected and accepted.

“The opening hours will be 2 times a week for 2-3 hours and maybe 2 hours on Saturdays, it would be based on membership and Volunteers but open for all Men to attend and become members as well,” Mr McGrady said.

Activities offered by NGAC and the Shed include training courses, wood work activities, refurbishing furniture, building garden beds, supporting veterans plus more.

The Shed will also act as a safe space for the community to discuss issues such as unemployment, mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence in an attempt to reduce negative incidents in and around Boggabilla.

Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor Katrina Humphries remarked on the wonderful work the Australian Men’s Shed Association does across the nation and looks forward to seeing the Men Shed in Boggabilla commence meetings and events.

“Men’s Sheds across Australia have a wonderful purpose in their communities, many of them do traditional tinkering in a shed – making furniture or restoring household items – but they also facilitate conversations of mental health, unemployment, substance abuse and domestic violence in a comfortable and safe environment.

“I am excited for the men in the Boggabilla community to reap the benefits of the Men Shed, learn new skills and make new friends,” explained Mayor Humphries.

An exact date for the event has not been set however organisers Financial Assistance Boggabilla Men’s Shed Bbq Open Day are hoping to host the event later this year.