With the growth in Men’s Sheds in the region, local co-ordinator Tony Heeson says a location has been secured in Byron Bay, and all that is needed is members.
Heeson is co-ordinator of Zone 12, which covers 18 sheds in the Northern Rivers, from Tweed Heads to Grafton.
He told The Echo, ‘A community men’s shed is a community space consisting of workshops and meeting rooms, where men gather to work together on meaningful activities and projects for personal and community benefit’.
‘It aims to improve the health and well-being of members, and reduce the number of men who are at risk from preventable health issues that may emanate from social isolation.
‘The recently formed Australian Men’s Shed Association now has about 1,380 member sheds.
‘Some small areas with sheds include Drake and Bonalbo, with populations of under 500.
Central Byron Bay location secured
‘With Byron’s population at 6,000, we have a central location for the shed, and the necessary funding to build it.
‘The Australian Men’s Shed Association started in 2007, and now boasts 1,400 sheds in Australia – that’s more men’s sheds than McDonald’s.
‘There are 380 in NSW, and all sheds in the Northern Rivers are growing.
‘The Bangalow Shed commenced in 2016, with 15 members, and now has 72.
‘All sheds receive significant government funding. NSW sheds got over $6 million in the last six months’.
Anyone who is interested in starting, or joining a men’s shed in Byron Bay, please contact Tony Heeson on 0419 715 098, email [email protected] or visit www.mensshed.org.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
