“We talk often at Council about how important it is to be prepared for a disaster – whether that’s in our own homes or at a community level through the LDMG,” said Mayor Williams.

“However we are also incredibly lucky to have a very strong community sector made up of some wonderful individuals prepared to put their hand up in an emergency and help their community.

“The VOAD group, which was formed in early 2020, brings together these different organisations in order to create connections as well as share knowledge and resources, which builds our overall community capacity.”

Mayor Tony Williams said the project is the first of its kind in Australia.

“At the recent breakfast, VOAD members came together to work through an emergency scenario facilitated by disaster management specialists.

Marion Lawler from Rockhampton Men’s Shed said the opportunity to participate in the exercise was appreciated by all of their members who attended.

“The feeling was that we were being trained to become useful as part of a larger team to help those members of our community who need help before, during and after a disaster,” said Ms Lawler.

“Thank you so much to everyone involved for enabling our organisation to continue to help those in our community who need assistance.”

It’s time to pay our shed membership fees

Hi Everyone this is a Media Release to bring everyone up to date with the current situation with our project to build 3 first class facilities to house not only our Men’s Shed but also our Ladies Auxiliary Facilities, our Gym, Board Room / Members Social Facility, our much needed office and IT Facility and last but not least our Social Facility which will cater for all our members Social Needs as well as house our Hub for Volunteers in Active Disaster (VOAD) that is a joint partnership with ourselves and the Rockhampton Regional Council as well as Gracemere Men’s Shed, SES and several other Community Groups.