Member for Kiama Gareth Ward met with members of the Mens Shed to announce additional funding for the community group.

Ward announced a state government grant totalling $38,208 for the facility including; a new shade sail for metal work area, equipment to fit out the metal workshop, the installation of a 3D router and printer and dementia friendly signage to improve accessibility. 

President of the Kiama Mens Shed, Ian Yabsley, expressed his gratitude for the funding.

“We have been looking forward to this for 12 months… We’ve seen great support from the Kiama community over our 14 years.”

The Kiama Mens Shed adopts the motto ‘working shoulder to shoulder’ of the wider Australian Mens Shed Association (ASMA). The community group provides an accessible and safe space for men of all ages to share ideas and support each other through their network.

“For me, what I’m about to announce is not a cost to government but an investment…I’m pleased to announce we’ve been able to secure just shy of $40,000 for the Mens Shed,” Ward says. 

The Kiama Mens Shed has around 50 active projects, the additional funding will provide extra resources to allow members to complete their projects.