A Merry Men’s Shed Christmas

The Burdekin Men’s Shed members enjoyed their annual Christmas Social on Saturday, December 16.

The members celebrated the festive season and another successful year.

“The Men’s Shed has again reached its objectives of addressing the issues of men’s health such as physical, emotional, and social well-being within the Community,” said Burdekin Men’s Shed Secretary Charles Ford.

“We do this by providing a safe and friendly environment where men of all ages can meet, have a chat and a cuppa, make new friends, share and learn new skills, contribute again to the community and avail themselves to men’s health information and the community health resources available.”

The Christmas social was attended by 31 people consisting of official guests, members, guests and partners.

The official part of the Social commenced at 10.00am where the Men’s Shed president Rob Ritchie welcomed the official guests Dale Last MP Member for Burdekin, Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin and Councillor and Men’s Shed committee member John Furnell.

Dale Last MP addressed the gathering and congratulated the members of the Men’s Shed on another successful year.

As part of the Dale Last Christmas Children’s toy appeal 2023 President Rob Ritchie presented Dale with the Men’s Shed contribution to the appeal.

Ms McLaughlin addressed the gathering with her Christmas message and thanked the Men’s Shed for its contribution to the Burdekin Community.

She then presented Certificates of Appreciation to members Alvin Thomas, Edward Chandler, Chris Payard and Ron Coutts who have contributed outstanding service to the Shed.

Councillor John Furnell listed the major 2023 sponsors of the Men’s Shed and thanked members of the general public and community organisations for donations of saleable items to be sold through Facebook and at physical Grage sales at the Men’s Shed.

President Rob Ritchie presented his 2023 report.

Rob thanked and named members of the Management Committee for their support throughout the year.

Changes in 2023 included:

• The introduction of monthly luncheons at various Burdekin venues for member, partners and guests.

• The change of monthly meetings to 10.00am on Saturdays followed by a sausage sizzle.

• The members enjoy a guest speaker at the General Meetings and went on to thank and name the guest speakers in the past year.

• The Members have been involved with assisting the Com. Bank staff with a sausage sizzle for the Clown Doctors.

• The Members have been associated with mentoring student from the Burdekin School which is very rewarding experience.

• The members as a group attends the Choral Society’s shows during the year

• The members attend a Community Prostate Cancer information function in Ayr and a QMSA Seminar in Townsville

• Nickolas Wiseman from the Burdekin Library’s Tech Connect conducted mobile phone sessions each fortnight at the Men’s Shed

• The Men’s shed participated with the Ayr Rotary Club 2023 Community raffle

• Some members accompanied by Rob Ritchie attended smoko visits with the Collinsville Men’s Shed.

Rob thanked all persons for their attendance and wished all present a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Councillor John Furnell presented President Rob with a gift for his report and conducting the Official Ceremony

All persons present enjoyed morning tea followed by a sausage sizzle after the formal ceremony.

Contributed by Burdekin Men’s Shed

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Photos supplied: Burdekin Men’s Shed