Gordon Reid (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to acknowledge the recent opening of the brand new Copacabana Community Men's Shed and the tremendous work undertaken by the Copacabana community to get this project completed. Men's sheds are invaluable community infrastructure and play important roles in our community—especially in regional Australia, like on the Central Coast. On the Central Coast we are often limited by the level of services and support that older Australians can access compared to metropolitan areas, and men's sheds often help fill these gaps.

Men's Sheds provide a safe space for men where they can discuss issues, support one another and work on projects together. I have been privileged to have visited many of the men's sheds across our electorate of Robertson, from the Gosford Men's Shed, Umina Beach Men's Shed, Broadlands Men's Shed, Kincumber Men's Shed to Erina Men's Shed, and now the Copacabana Community Men's Shed.

The camaraderie and solidarity displayed every time I visited is truly special and the community commitment is admirable. I would like to thank Dr Michael Mitchelmore, OAM, Copacabana men's shed coordinator; the members; and its sponsors who have helped make Copa men's shed a reality. I look forward to upcoming visits and seeing the outstanding work and support that comes out of the Copacabana Community Men's Shed.