Media Release

This month the National Shed Development Programme has awarded grants to Men’s Sheds in Gordonvale, Edmonton and Charter’s Towers. Mr Katter is a big believer in the Men’s Shed initiative.

Mr Katter said, “massive taxation and numerous other laws and attitudes particularly drink driving laws have made it impossible to go to the pub anymore. So the days are gone that men went down to the pub and got drunk and played up with their friends and have the barmaid listen to all their stupid drivel… that release valve has been taken away from them.

“We used to go out fishing and hunting and camping and shooting together. Those things have been taken off us.

“There has to be some reason why men do away with themselves 20 or 30 times the rate more than women.

“A Men’s Shed provides a place where there’s a reason to come together and spend a bit of time.

“We’d go down to the pub and get ourselves all merry and happy and forget about less important things like – if the bank’s going to foreclose on us or not.

“This has all been taken away from men including the traditional role of hunter and provider and the psychological impact is taking its toll.

“One of the alleviating weapons is the Men’s Shed.

“We bless the people who founded it, we bless the people who are making it work and we thank the government for providing some federal money.”

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