Shedders Big BBQ was BIG!
The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA), generously sponsored by Energy Producers Australia, chose the Gladstone Men’s Shed as the venue for the Shedder’s Big BBQ on Tuesday, March 26th. The event saw fantastic support from Sheds in the Gladstone area and Sheds as far away as Bundaberg, Biloela, Mt Morgan, Rockhampton, and the Capricorn Coast, all making a day trip to attend.
With 14 Sheds and 153 Shedders in attendance, it turned out to be a vibrant gathering, providing an excellent platform for networking, idea exchange, and promoting men’s mental and physical well-being. Marty Leist, AMSA’s Partnerships and Engagements Coordinator from Newcastle, praised the camaraderie, saying, “The day’s turnout was an apt representation of the level of support and interest that the Sheds of this region have for one another. The interaction of the “Shedders” and the networking that goes on is the aim and highlight of these events as it ensures that the communication and that support will stay healthy and the Sheds will continue to thrive”.
The event also facilitated connections with health professionals and organisations like Cancer Council Queensland, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, ADA Australia, DonateLife, and Bloom Hearing Specialists, who travelled to Gladstone for the event. Local organisations such as Gladstone Mindcare and Headspace, the Native Bee Association, CQU School of Education & the Arts, and the Gladstone Regional Council also participated.
Being in the harbour city, the Gladstone Radio Controlled Yacht Club displayed International One Meter Yachts, and the Gladstone District Philatelic Society displayed the annual Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race covers, and Peter Brown from QR Travel gave helpful advice on rail travel. While there was no need to encourage “boys with toys” the technical display by Leading Edge Gladstone Hi-Fi, the huge range of DeWalt tools demonstrated by Stanley Black & Decker and how to bring timber surfaces to their sparkling best by Cabot’s were all quality attractions.
NFP House, AMSA’s Membership & Insurance Manager Melissa White, and QMSA’s Regional Coordinator Frank Pearce provided helpful advice to enhance Shed operations. Frank said the day was “an exceptional event with lots of great exhibitors and a fantastic turnout of local Shedders who thoroughly enjoyed the day, “ while the QMSA President Lawrie Bingham commented that Gladstone has “set another benchmark for us all to strive for.”
The event was honoured to have Mayor Matt Burnett who helped open the event and Gladstone Men’s Shed Patron Bob McCosker in attendance. The day concluded with a BBQ lunch made even tastier by a donation from the Council’s Finance Governance and Risk Department.
