Category: Blog

With our AGM now behind us, I would like to welcome in the new Committee of the Hervey Bay Womens Shed.

The new committee consists of:

President – Joadi Bartlett

Secretary – Narelle Duroux

Treasurer – Carrie Knight

Sheds & Tools – Ricky Coxhead

Fundraising/ Media assistant – Terri Bissell

Vice Treasurer – Kristen Whitehead-Bell

Social Media/ Website – Heidi

I would also like to extend my gratitude to the many women whose tireless efforts behind the scenes helped bring the Hervey Bay Womens Shed to life. I encourage all of you to reconnect with the Shed and see firsthand the incredible legacy you have set in motion.

Joadi Bartlett

President

Hervey bay Womens Shed.

Copy of AGM President’s Speech

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge all the hard work of the Committee, volunteers & members who all play a role in making the HBWS the dynamic organisation it’s developing into.

Not everything has been easy. We have had to start from nothing & slowly develop our procedures, workshop content etc to align with what our mandate requires.

But with cooperation, teamwork and many laughs along the way, the committee is proving how much can be achieved in such a short time. So, thank you all for what you have contributed.

The AGM is also a great time to pause and reflect on what we have achieved.

We tend to get so focused on what we are doing next week, that we fail to recognise all the amazing things we have done.

So,

I have prepared a list:

Over $5000 in Grants & over $6000 in donations and fundraising efforts have been received since the last AGM.

Workshops such as woodworking, Art, cardmaking, fishing, paint n sip & mosaics, generating excellent feedback.

We have built trains & Christmas props for the council, 4 workbenches, storage units & shelving.

Purchased lots of tools and had many more tools and Art & craft materials donated.

Participated in various community events, all promoting the shed through activities like frog motels & easter bunnies and also chatting to the public about the Shed

Our social media & website are gradually gaining more exposure & provides an important communication platform between the committee, members and the community.

We are continuing to increase our promotional material & look forward to adding clothing merchandise for members, while increasing awareness and our branding in the Hervey Bay area.

Regular connect & create sessions encourage members to bring along their projects or share their hobbies. These have included things like Art, needlecraft, music, bonsai & rock wrapping.

Behind the scenes we have been working hard on developing policies & procedures, ensuring the safety of members & complying with the WH & S standards.

We are now also registered as a charity, enabling us to increase our fundraising opportunities.

And the future?

Starting next month, we will be opening the committee meeting up to any members who wish to attend. They will have the opportunity to raise suggestions & to gain insight into the running of the Shed. The Shed belongs to all members & we encourage everyone to take an active role in its future.

For a volunteer run community charity that has been operating for such a short time, we have achieved amazing results.

So well done!

We should all be proud to be part of something that is quite extraordinary.

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing community! We’re blown away by the generosity shown to us over the Christmas period.

Your donations of tools, equipment, and resources will go a long way in helping us provide a safe and supportive space for women to learn, create, and connect. We’re grateful for your support and enthusiasm for our mission.

Your contributions will help us continue to empower women in our community. Thank you again for your kindness and generosity!

We’re excited to see what the new year brings!

#HerveyBayWomensShed #CommunitySupport #ThankYou #EmpoweringWomen”

Hello to all our wonderful supporters and members! It’s been a bustling couple of months here at Hervey Bay Women’s Shed Inc., and we are thrilled to share some fantastic updates and achievements with you.

Firstly, we are delighted to announce our move into the Neighborhood Hive, a vibrant community hub that has welcomed us with open arms. This exciting transition was made possible thanks to the Hervey Bay Neighborhood Centre‘s generous offer of a peppercorn lease. We now have our own dedicated space within the Hive, which not only allows us to conduct our workshops and gatherings more comfortably but also gives us the opportunity to add much-needed storage for our tools and materials.

Our new home has been buzzing with activity! If you check out our latest posts on Facebook and TikTok, you’ll see we’ve hosted a series of inspiring and hands-on events. These have ranged from basic carpentry and upcycling info sessions to creative arts and crafts workshops. Each event has been a wonderful opportunity for women in our community to connect, learn, and share their skills in a supportive environment.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. We look forward to continuing to grow and create together. Stay tuned for more updates and upcoming events by following us on our social media platforms below!

Warm regards,

The Hervey Bay Women’s Shed Inc. Team

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube
• X

Welcome to Hervey Bay Women’s Shed Inc., a vibrant non-profit organization dedicated to uniting women through the shared love of DIY, home maintenance, and building skills.

Women’s sheds, like the Hervey Bay Women’s Shed Inc., offer a unique and invaluable space for women to come together, learn, and grow. The benefits of such initiatives extend far beyond acquiring DIY, home maintenance, and building skills. They play a crucial role in enhancing mental health and reducing social isolation among women of all ages and backgrounds.

One of the most significant benefits of participating in a women’s shed is the sense of community and belonging it fosters. Many women experience feelings of loneliness or isolation, often exacerbated by societal pressures and personal circumstances. The Hervey Bay Women’s Shed provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where women can form meaningful connections with others who share their interests. By working together on projects, attending workshops, and engaging in social activities, members build strong, supportive networks that combat loneliness and create lasting friendships.

Moreover, the Hervey Bay Women’s Shed promotes mental well-being through skill-building and personal empowerment. Learning new skills and completing DIY projects can be incredibly fulfilling and boost self-esteem. The sense of accomplishment that comes from mastering a new technique or finishing a challenging task can significantly improve one’s outlook on life. This empowerment is further amplified by the supportive atmosphere of the shed, where members encourage and uplift one another, fostering a positive and nurturing space for personal growth.

In addition to these personal benefits, the Hervey Bay Women’s Shed plays a vital role in reducing social isolation by providing a structured and engaging outlet for women to spend their time. Regular participation in shed activities encourages routine and gives members something to look forward to, which can be especially important for those who may otherwise feel disconnected from their communities. By offering a variety of workshops and events, the shed ensures that there is always something new to learn and experience, keeping members engaged and connected.

In conclusion, the Hervey Bay Women’s Shed Inc. is more than just a place to learn DIY skills; it is a haven for women seeking community, empowerment, and personal growth. By fostering connections, promoting mental well-being, and reducing social isolation, the shed makes a profound and positive impact on the lives of its members.

Hervey Bay Women’s Shed Inc. wishes to give a huge thanks to the Fraser Coast Community, for the overwhelming support we received today at our Launch. We are very happy with the outcome and feel it was a great day. From all of the amazing community members who attended, including some from Women’s Shed Maryborough, Men’s Shed Inc. Hervey Bay, local councillor candidates Michelle Govers – Candidate Division 5, Lachlan Cosgrove – Division 6 Candidate, John Weiland – Division 7 Candidate, and to our new members that joined us today. We are so excited and grateful to have you all on board.
Special thanks to Hervey Bay Men’s Shed, Scottys Mad About Meats, Bakers Delight, Spotlight Hervey Bay, HBW Foodservice, AMET Industries, Hervey Bay RSL, Terra Tribe Farm and the Maryborough Police Patrol Group (myPolice Wide Bay) for your most generous donations to our organisation. For without you all, we would not have been able to make it to this stage.
To all of our new members: Please let us know if you have any capacity to help with events, fundraising, or hosting etc. We welcome your time and support. Keep a look out for our Facebook events and don’t forget to let us know if you are interested or attending. We can’t wait to catch up with you all again at our first workshop next month!
Last but not least, thank you to Halcro Street Community Centre for allowing us the use of your venue to hold our Launch Day.

Event List

Exciting news all.. We are THIS CLOSE to securing a location for Hervey Bay Women’s Shed to call home!! However we have quite a few tasks on our checklist that we need to complete before we can proceed.

Is there anyone out there who can do us a HUGE FAVOUR and help us out?? The more people we have helping, the quicker we can finally get started on taking memberships and doing fun activities / workshops!! Please see the attached image for a list of the various areas we’d really love a set of extra hands with!

Those wishing to volunteer, please click the link and complete our online volunteer form.

If you could also, please share to your networks that would be amazing, we would really appreciate it!

All enquiries please email: Contact Us here