Women’s shed celebrates big milestone

Members of the Wamuran Women’s Shed gathered for a special paint 'n sip workshop on Friday to celebrate the group’s first anniversary.

About 30 women attended the celebration, which was held on June 2 at the Wamuran Sports Complex.

The day also featured a celebratory cake, bubbles and nibbles. 

Reflecting on the past 12 months, President Anna Staines says it has been exciting to see the group go from strength to strength.

“We were eager, excited and energetic, but we were also leaping into the unknown,” Anna says.

“What got us through the fledging stages was knowing that women in this region needed a shed.

“Our objectives were to create a safe, respectful and inclusive place for women to reduce isolation and loneliness by encouraging community connection and sincere supportive friendships.

“The aim of the shed was to also provide opportunities for skill acquisition, good health and dynamic creative growth to empower and fulfill members in their work community, marriages, family and self.

“While there have been some learning curves, knowing what women really needed - especially friendship, love and laughter - was something I feel we nailed right from the get-go.”

To see more photos from the first anniversary celebrations, click through the gallery below

Idea grows from Facebook post

The idea for the shed came about after a few people from the Wamuran district realised more needed to be done to help empower women who might be feeling lonely or isolated.

“I might be the President, but I can’t take credit for how the idea came to be. That credit belongs to three women who are currently on the committee” Anna says.

“They realised there was a massive hole in the region around groups that supported women, so they put a callout via Facebook asking the community if they would support the idea of a women’s shed in Wamuran.

“Hundreds of people wrote back, so going off that response, there was obviously a need and women who were keen to join.”

Since forming on June 2, 2022, off the backs of seven committee members, the Wamuran Women’s Shed now supports more than 100 members, affectionally known as ‘Sheddies’.

But the group would like to see some new faces.

“If you have ever thought “I wish I had more friends” or “I wish I had a purpose and somewhere to go”, the Wamuran Women’s Shed is for you. It’s a place where you can come and be accepted and supported for who you are,” Anna says.

Some of the activities members participate in include painting workshops, arts and crafts, pottery, geocaching, barefoot bowls, cooking, coffee catch ups, and even searching for native platypus.

“We can cater to lots of different interests, passions and hobbies,” Anna says.

The Saturday Makers Workshops is supported by the Caboolture Sports Club Community Chest Fund. 

Above: Wamuran Women's Shed President Anna Staines. 

Learning important life skills

In addition to participating in fun workshops and events, members of the Wamuran Women’s Shed also learn important life skills.

The day after the anniversary celebrations, a workshop was held for  women to learn a trade and basic tool skills.

The workshop was hosted by Supporting And Linking Tradeswoman Inc (SALT) in conjunction with the National Careers Institute.

SALT is a non-profit incorporated organisation, which began to provide a support network for tradeswomen, apprentices and women who wish to enter the trades.

The workshops were aimed at encouraging women to consider a trade career and to also get local employers thinking about taking on more women apprentices.

Up to 20 local ladies took part in the course and learnt how to use 11 basic tools including circular saws, jigsaws, impact drivers and more.

The workshop helped open the group up to a new world of possibilities for them to explore further workshops that involve woodworking and the use of hand tools.

Above: Ladies from the Wamuran Women's Shed completed a workshop hosted by Supporting And Linking Tradeswoman Inc (SALT) in conjunction with the National Careers Institute.

A space of their own

Members of the Wamuran Women’s Shed currently meet at the Wamuran Sports Complex where they host their activities but are hoping to find a dedicated space they can call their own.

If you are able to help, reach out to the group by logging onto their website or emailing [email protected]