A HEARTFELT plea from a visiting Rotarian has sparked a wave of generosity from the Wynnum Manly & District Men’s Shed, delivering vital support to a small Queensland outback town still reeling from devastating floods.
Guest speaker Jim Byrne, from the Rotary Club of Wynnum, recently visited the Men’s Shed to share his experiences from a fact-finding mission to Quilpie and surrounding communities – including the severely flood-affected town of Adavale.
Mr Byrne painted a vivid picture of the widespread damage and ongoing hardship faced by locals.
He highlighted the crucial role the Adavale Men’s Shed was playing in the town’s recovery – and the urgent need for modern tools and equipment to keep that work going.
His emotional address struck a powerful chord with the Wynnum members.
Moved by the story, Shed President David Westlake immediately put forward a motion to donate $1000 to the Adavale Men’s Shed to help buy new equipment – a motion passed unanimously.
But the support didn’t end there.
The Adavale shed has also been invited to select from a large stockpile of second-hand tools and equipment – worth several thousand dollars – that the Wynnum group had collected for its upcoming garage sale.
“These donations will hopefully help the Adavale Men’s Shed support residents in repairing homes and restoring vital community infrastructure,” Mr Westlake said.
The donation reflects the strong spirit of mateship and community that underpins the Wynnum Manly & District Men’s Shed – a place where members come together to share skills, stories, and support.
The Shed is open to anyone looking to learn new skills or simply connect with others.
It boasts a fully equipped woodworking space, a metalworking shed, CNC routers, welders, laser cutters, and two 3D printers.
Member Don Smith said members could also join music sessions, fireside chats, or get involved in local projects.
To find out more about joining, donating, or requesting help, contact the Wynnum Manly & District Men’s Shed on 0417 601 105.
