Is the Pottsville And District Men’s shed set to become the only men’s shed in Australia where member’s health and wellbeing has worsened because of their membership?
The work the Pottsville and District Men’s shed committee and members have carried out to get to this point in their quest towards building their shed at Black Rocks Oval has been enormous.
They have gained great satisfaction in drawing up development applications and construction applications all following guidelines set down by the Tweed Shire Council for the land that was allotted to them on Black Rocks oval.
They have applied for and received government grants for the construction of their shed also following guidelines set down by the Tweed Shire Council.
Now at the last moment, when all that is required is the signing of the lease, mayor Katie Milne has seen fit to stifle the plan that she instigated.
The committee and members of the men’s shed are now spending their time correcting misconceptions put forward by a very small minority backed by Crs Milne, Chris Cherry, Reece Byrnes and Ron Cooper.
Why have the Pottsville and District Men’s shed been led down this path that once showed great promise in delivering a shed for the men of Pottsville but has now turned into a political battle with alliances among councillors one of whom once promised to be independent and truly representative of the people of her area?
Surely something that delivers better health outcomes for men should be a priority for all our elected representatives.
The continuing conflict is causing stress, anxiety and anger for members of the men’s shed, the exact opposite of why men join the men’s shed in the first place.
A lot of men have had to deal with these sorts of conflicts in their work environments and look at retiring and joining a men’s shed to have a different experience.
Fun, laughter, comradery, a safe happy environment.
The Pottsville and District Men’s Shed deserve better from our elected representatives.
Sarah Harding, Pottsville
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