Regional Forum Brings Shedders Together
Ron Steen, the hardworking QMSA Zone Chairman for Capricornia, has been dedicated to organising regular President’s Forums across the region. On Wednesday, 5 February, the Callide Valley Men’s Shed in Biloela hosted the latest Forum, with nine Sheds and twenty Shedders in attendance – a new record for the Capricornia Zone. "We’ve made it a goal to hold three forums a year, and hosting them in different Sheds has been a great way for everyone to learn from each other,” said Ron.
This was the first time a Forum was held inland, making it easier for Sheds like Mount Morgan, Monto, and Theodore to attend. The day began with a delicious morning tea, followed by updates from each Shed, where members shared helpful tips. Highlights included making extra funds by stripping cable from solar farm projects and using donated PVC to make colourful bird sculptures.
A key discussion point was the struggle many Sheds face securing permanent homes. "Not every Shed has the support of a Regional Council, and some are landlocked, which hinders growth,” Ron explained. Another hot topic was insurance. One Shed, inspired by an AMSA conference presentation, hired a professional valuer, revealing that their insurance coverage was significantly underinsured. This discovery highlighted the potential consequences of insufficient coverage.
Several Sheds are also reviewing their equipment competency procedures, or “proficiency,” as safety remains a top priority. "It's encouraging to see Sheds working together on safety and solving problems that arise," Ron noted.
The Forums have proven to be a great opportunity for Sheds to collaborate. “It’s rewarding to see Sheds come together on projects, like building animal nesting boxes for industry,” said Ron. “This initiative has sparked the potential for a large-scale project that could involve many Sheds, highlighting just one of the opportunities that emerge from these Forums.”
Following last year’s success of the Shedders Big BBQ in Gladstone, there is interest in hosting another event in 2025, possibly tied to Men’s Shed Week in September. The ongoing enthusiasm shows the strong bond between Sheds in Capricornia.
"Forums like this are a great opportunity to showcase QMSA’s resources," Ron said. “We shared templates for personalised Shed posters and are excited about the upcoming double-sided A5 brochure for Sheds. We also handed out resources on Canva, Emails, Fundraising, and Guest Speakers."
Ron would like to thank the Callide Valley Men’s Shed for hosting the event and providing a fantastic BBQ lunch.
02/04/2025
