Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has congratulated Charters Towers Regional Men’s Shed (CTRMS) for their success in the ANZ Seeds of Renewal Program.

The Men’s Shed was one of 27 community groups that shared in $250,000 in grants, securing $7,864 to build an awning and double the room available to work in.

Mr Katter said securing the funding is a great win for the community.

“We have long supported the Men’s Shed in its efforts to increase community participation and help make the Charters Towers community stronger, including its fundraising efforts at the monthly Community Markets at Centenary Park.

“The wellbeing of people in the Charters Towers community, particularly men, is of utmost importance and we support any endeavour to help boost it, this is a great win Improving the work space of the men and it will greatly benefit the Men’s Shed members and their various invaluable projects,” Mr Katter said.

In 2017, CTMS built a second shed to do more metal and welding work, and now plans to construct a 15x4-metre awning for the shed, creating an extra 60 square metres of shaded work area.

Secretary John Butcher said it would double the room the men had to work in and create a more comfortable and safer space.

“At the moment, we’ve run out of room in the sheds and do a lot of our work outside the shed; but it’s western-facing so after midday, it’s too hot to work,” he said.

He said the funding presented a great opportunity for the club to expand and would encourage more members to engage in projects.

ANZ Regional Executive, Business Banking North Queensland, John King, said the program played an important role in supporting regional Australia, with ANZ investing $4.6 million since 2003 to help more than 800 community groups achieve their goals.

“Our rural communities are vital contributors to Australia’s economic health and their ongoing strength is essential,” he said.

“We’re keen to keep them thriving and are proud to support the important services these programs provide to their communities, all around Australia.”

CTMS, which was established in 2012 and has about 40 members, is committed to advancing the wellbeing of members by providing a safe and friendly space to work on meaningful projects in the company of others.

As well as small projects, the Men’s Shed supports local organisations, guides clients with special needs, holds mental health first aid courses and provides mental health awareness.

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