Grant helps Men’s Shed power up and clean up

Marty Hunt, left, presents the cheque to Bob ward, right and other Nambour Men’s Shed members.

Members of the Nambour Men’s Shed will soon enjoy cleaner air and lower running costs thanks to a $77,000 gambling fund grant that has helped upgrade key facilities at the community workshop.

Secretary Richard Simmons said the shed recently received funding that has already enabled the replacement of its solar battery system, which was damaged during Cyclone Alfred flooding last year.

The new battery has now been installed and is helping the organisation significantly reduce its operating costs.

“With our new electricity plan we are able to run the shed on a daily basis without cost to our members,” Mr Simmons said.

He said the shed was now generating far more solar energy than it uses during the day and has been able to put the excess to good use.

“We are now selling our excess power (75%) in the early evening out of our batteries and running the shed in the mornings off the remaining power in the batteries while they charge up during the day.”

The grant will also fund another important improvement aimed at making the workshop a safer and more comfortable place for members. Mr Simmons said installation of a new dust extraction system would begin soon and is expected to be completed by Easter.

“The remainder of the gambling fund grant works will be starting soon at the shed with the installation of a dust extraction system which will clean up the air quality both inside and outside the shed,” he said.

“This will provide us with a better working environment which hopefully will give the members cleaner air with reduced health risks.”