April 2014
An Initiative of Pomona & District Community House Inc.
$15,000 boost for men’s shed Bluescope Steel has come to the rescue of those planning to locate the Men’s Shed Pomona within the old Pomona Fire Station. National Sales Manager (Queensland) for Bluescope Steel, Wal Nicolussi (right) hands a cheque for $15,000 to the office manager at Pomona Community House, Brian Lawson (second from right) on behalf of the Men’s Shed Pomona Group. Also pictured is men’s shed enthusiast Doug Bettens (centre) and Councillor Tony Wellington of Noosa Shire, (left) a staunch supporter. The prospect of a men’s shed being built at Pomona is closer following a $15,000 grant to the Men's shed Pomona by the steel producer, Bluescope Steel. Pressure now is on the state government to donate the current Pomona fire station site and building to the men’s shed group once the new fire station opens in Reserve Street later this year. A delighted Brian Lawson, a man of many hats around town, received the cheque for $15,000 last month from Wal Nicolussi, the national sales manager (Queensland) for Bluescope Steel.
“This initiative struck a chord, not only because of the dedication of those involved, and the support they have, but because there is a real commitment to make it happen,” he said. The Lawson Shed at Pomona, an annexe to Pomona Community House (PCH), was initiated by Honorary House Manager, Brian Lawson and former President, Doug Bettens
Men’s shed patron and former Noosa councillor, Doug Bettens, said the group was waiting for advice from the Queensland Department of Community Safety that the Pomona group could Wal explained that the Men’s Shed secure the current fire station as a Pomona was the tenth and final recipient gathering space, with valuable machinery in Australia of company grants towards and other equipment to be operated by worthwhile community projects. Three the men being housed in a shed on out of the 10 grants had gone to men’s stumps – above known flood levels – at shed projects, Wal explained. the rear of the fire station building.
A shed measuring 12m by seven metres, suitable for this purpose, has been obtained from a Nambour rural property, dismantled and stored on land Doug owns at Cooran. “What we can achieve depends on the money we get, but today’s grant from Bluescope Steel represents a fantastic boost to our coffers,” Doug said. Noosa councillor, Tony Wellington, who was present for the cheque handover, said the council was backing the men’s shed plans and had been liaising with the state government to facilitate transfer of ownership of the fire station to the men’s shed. October-November is the anticipated completion date for Pomona’s new fire station, subject to funding being confirmed in the June state budget.
Changes at Noosa Show Society: See page 10 Pomona Community House - Keeping You in Touch With Your Community
1