More men can gather together at the Coffs Harbour Men’s Shed in Howard Street from today as restrictions on group gatherings ease and a new dust extraction system has been installed.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan caught up with the Men’s Shed group today – the first day the group has been allowed to meet since the outbreak of COVID-19.
“It’s great to see this men’s shed group back together again after two months of isolation and separation,” he said.
“The shed is in its best shape ever after the completion of a four-year fundraising project for the team, helped along by a $20,000 grant from our Government’s Stronger Communities Programme.
“The $42,000 dust extraction system provides better air quality in the shed and will enable more guys to work together – a great outcome ahead of Men’s Health Week next week.”
Coffs Harbour Men’s Shed President Ken Ryan said the dust extraction system catches about 98 per cent of the dust in the Howard Street shed and will enable more woodwork, metalwork and other hobbies to be run concurrently.
“I’m proud we are reopening an even better Men’s Shed after a hard few months,” Mr Ryan said.
“This shed provides a place for men to come and overcome isolation and loneliness and to have a chat together, while working on an activity. There are many men in our community experiencing loneliness at the moment after COVID-19 and I encourage them to give me a call and consider coming along.”
Local business Faircloth & Reynolds installed the custom-built dust extraction system at the Men’s Shed.
“The dust extraction system components and associated duct work took several days for our tradesman to install and commission,” Faircloth & Reynolds Estimator Paul Courtney said.
“It’s been a quality job, and I am confident it will deliver greater air quality and significant noise reduction for the work space.
“Faircloth & Reynolds staff and management were proud to be chosen to complete the design and help bring our local Men’s Shed to a new level of comfort and professionalism.”
