David Gillespie (Lyne, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy Speaker O'Brien, as you well know, every man needs a shed, and the coalition government is committed to supporting the Men's Shed program around the country. In my electorate of Lyne last month I had the pleasure of visiting three of these sheds, where the blokes are doing a great job for all the other members in the community with the spirit that they have and also with the work that they do for the community.

Wauchope Mens Shed received a grant of $6,327 for a dust extraction unit to allow safe work, with all the woodwork they do. I'd like to congratulate Robert Read, Wally Waterston, John Ridgway and John Williams for all the work they do on their committee. Taree Manning River Men's Shed also received a grant, of $6,000, for the installation of a kitchen. I caught up with Bernard Greening, Ross McLennan, Allan Raine, Wayne Buttel, Len Keough, Wayne Abdoo, Adrian Leven and Peter Hall, and they were most grateful for the grant. Coomba Men's Shed also received a grant from the coalition government, $1,800, for a flammable liquid storage cabinet. Congratulations to their committee, including John Hewkins, Richard Dennis, Steve Dellaca, Warren Arnold, Dave Sinclair and Doug Lewis Driver, for the great work they're doing. The Men's Shed movement does a lot of good. It's good for people's mental health, it gets them out of the house, it prevents loneliness and it builds stronger communities. (Time expired)