About
The Mapleton Men's Shed Story
The Mapleton Men’s Shed official opening on 30 November 2017 marked the culmination of more than 10,000 hours of enthusiastic volunteering which extended from an initial core of Men’s Shed members. A shared vision underscored this volunteering which began with passionate lobbying and planning accompanied by negotiations with stakeholders including all levels of government. What followed was an enormous amount of hard work ranging from labouring through to landscaping, building work, cleaning, gardening, painting and administration including the writing of grant applications. This tremendous effort was executed under the stewardship of an initial steering committee which was formed in 2013 and continued by the duly elected 2014 inaugural Committee. The Mapleton Men’s Shed facility now takes pride of place on the corner of Delicia and Mapleton Forest Roads and provides not only a supportive and nonthreatening environment within which members and guests can meet but also a range of services and activities in which they can participate – all based on the mutual respect of “mateship”.
The Early Beginnings
Mapleton sits atop the northern section of the Blackall range with expansive views over both the beaches and hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. It was at the AGM of the Blackall Range Land Use and Planning Association that Mapleton resident, Eric Jeffries presented an idea to establish a Men’s Shed on the site of the disused Mapleton Forestry Office. Eric believed this site, where the buildings had significantly deteriorated through years of disuse and neglect, had potential to provide a venue for community engagement whilst simultaneously preserving local history. He suggested Peter Hulme, a retired special education professional with an interest in woodworking, as an ideal candidate to implement this type of vision.
Peter took up the baton and approached the Mapleton and District Community Association Inc (MADCA) to gauge the level of interest among local residents for such a project. Subsequently, at a public meeting attended by 18 men on 24 October 2013, Nambour Men’s Shed representative, Mark Wall presented an overview of the operation of a Men’s Shed resulting in a unanimous vote of support for the establishment of a Mapleton Men’s Shed. A steering committee comprising seven members was formed with their initial November and December 2013 and January 2014 meetings fuelling increasing interest among local Mapleton area residents.
Peter took up the baton and approached the Mapleton and District Community Association Inc (MADCA) to gauge the level of interest among local residents for such a project. Subsequently, at a public meeting attended by 18 men on 24 October 2013, Nambour Men’s Shed representative, Mark Wall presented an overview of the operation of a Men’s Shed resulting in a unanimous vote of support for the establishment of a Mapleton Men’s Shed. A steering committee comprising seven members was formed with their initial November and December 2013 and January 2014 meetings fuelling increasing interest among local Mapleton area residents.
Lobbying, Planning and Negotiating
From December 2013, with the assistance of District Manager of Queensland Forest Products, John Ludlow, negotiations to facilitate the use of the Forestry Office site via a leasing agreement between Mapleton Men’s Shed and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council were conducted. As a result of these negotiations, the Steering Committee was advised by State Government representatives on 19 March 2014, that the disused forestry assets were to be transferred to Sunshine Regional Council for use by the Mapleton Men’s Shed.
On 24 June 2014, in what was proving to be a very efficiently executed process, members elected their first set of office bearers for what was to become the not-for-profit Incorporated Association registered as Mapleton Men's Shed Inc. On 26 June 2015 after extended negotiations, the Shed entered into a 10-year lease agreement with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to occupy and restore the facility. As the Shed is a Heritage listed Council site, Chris Klar Architects were then engaged to assist the Committee to comply with all legislative requirements involved in the restoration.
On 24 June 2014, in what was proving to be a very efficiently executed process, members elected their first set of office bearers for what was to become the not-for-profit Incorporated Association registered as Mapleton Men's Shed Inc. On 26 June 2015 after extended negotiations, the Shed entered into a 10-year lease agreement with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to occupy and restore the facility. As the Shed is a Heritage listed Council site, Chris Klar Architects were then engaged to assist the Committee to comply with all legislative requirements involved in the restoration.
The Hard Work Begins
Since inception the Shed has received more than $91,000 from approved grant applications through various funding bodies with around $85,000 of this money being specifically spent restoring and renovating the old Forestry Office buildings and infrastructure. These improvements include restoring the structural integrity, roofing, and exterior and interior surfaces of all buildings along with their rewiring and the replacement of the water tanks and septic system. To complete the effort, an access ramp and toilet have also been installed in the Barracks Building – essentially making the entire site fit-for-use. Through various fundraising activities, the Shed has also independently raised more than $18,000 for additional buildings and landscaping improvements.
Many thanks to all for a job "Well Done!"
In all of this, the Shed extends its gratitude to those members of the Mapleton area community who have kindly donated materials, equipment and, in the case of local tradespeople and businesses, expertise and services either gratis or at reduced prices. Shed members are now becoming increasingly involved in community activities and have been able to assist the local primary school with various projects, make and repair furniture, assist the Mapleton Community Library andprovide workshops teaching various artisan skills.
A Men’s Shed is not about doing things, rather, there is an emphasis on members forming friendships with other men in the community. It is these relationships that provide the possibility for men to monitor and enhance their health and well-being.
