A Blooming Success: Turning Scrap into Smiles
Sandgate Men's Shed, established in 2010 and based at the Brighton Health Campus in Brisbane, is a dynamic and inclusive space known for its creative approach to community engagement and sustainability. With a membership of around 80, the Shed offers a range of activities, from woodwork and metalwork to pyrography, and has become an important part of the local community.
One of their standout projects is the “Power of a Flower” initiative, a perfect blend of recycling, creativity, and community spirit. The project began in 2022 when the Shed found itself with an abundance of plywood offcuts that would have been discarded. Instead of sending it to waste, the Shedders decided to get creative - and turn it into something beautiful (and profitable).
Recycling with a Purpose
Using the plywood strips, the Shed crafted flower stakes - wooden flowers mounted on recycled pine offcuts. Each flower is hand-painted, with the random assembly process creating unique, vibrant designs. Not only did this recycle waste materials, but it also provided a valuable fundraising opportunity. Over the past two years, the Shed has made over 8,000 flowers, generating approximately $15,000 in revenue.
In 2023, the project expanded with the introduction of “Flower Strings” - decorative wooden flowers strung together and “flower-bombed” around local trees, including at the Shed itself, Blume Coffee Shop, and other locations. The initiative quickly became a popular attraction, drawing foot traffic and spreading smiles in the community.
Community Engagement
The first batch of flowers was prepared for the Einbunpin Festival, and saw “grumpy old men” tour around on a colourful “flower bike.” Flowers were distributed for free, each with a swing tag featuring details about the Shed and its activities. This creative distribution led to flowers popping up in gardens and sparked conversations, raising awareness of the Shed’s mission and encouraging new members.
Sandgate Men’s Shed has also partnered with local organisations, including the Bracken Ridge Lions Club and Bunnings in Virginia, to distribute flowers at community events and markets. These efforts have not only raised funds but also increased the Shed’s visibility and impact.
Connecting Generations
The flower project has also fostered intergenerational connections. The Shed has hosted painting activities at local schools and events like the Bracken Ridge Lions Train Days, where children paint flowers as part of a fun, social activity that brings generations together.
The flowers have even found their way into special events and memorials, with the Shed receiving requests for specific colours to mark occasions like engagements or funerals.
A Sustainable Future
Looking ahead, Sandgate Men’s Shed continues to expand the flower initiative, exploring CNC laser or router technology to improve production. Their commitment to recycling, using donated materials like furniture offcuts, continues to benefit the community while providing meaningful, hands-on work that promotes wellbeing for Shedders.
Through these projects, Sandgate Men’s Shed proves that a simple idea can grow into something truly transformative, benefitting both the environment and the people it touches.
Article posted 8 Jan 2025. Based on an article first published Shed Chatter Summer Edition 2024.
