Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am proudly wearing the display pin sent to me last week by the Australian Men's Shed Association. Men's Sheds, an Australian innovation, celebrated 30 years just last month. From the first shed initiated by Maxine Chaseling at Goolwa at the mouth of the Murray River, there are now 1,297 sheds and countless shedders all across Australia and even a Shed Wireless podcast. Incredibly, there are now more than 2,500 globally too.

The electorate of Hasluck is blessed with six Men's Sheds, in Ellenbrook, Gidgegannup, Kalamunda, Midland, Mundaring and Moorditj Mia at Koongamia. I can tell members that it's best to book early for this year's Christmas lunch at the Midland Men's Shed, because there was the largest Christmas raffle I've ever seen; it took me over an hour to disburse all the prizes. The CWA cooked up an incredible meal and provided some saucy entertainment, so it will be a sellout. The Ellenbrook Men's Shed is so successful that it's now looking to expand. The types of things they create are just gorgeous. I brought the cutest little replica of my campaign trailer and a little four-wheel drive—super cute. At the Kalamunda Men's Shed I got the longest cheeseboard platter using all the beautiful, unique woods of the Perth Hills. My last visit to the Gidgie Men's Shed in January really spoke to the importance of these sheds in a fire affected community. This is an example of bringing community together. I may just learn how to sharpen my chainsaw yet.