Tully Men's Shed safe

QCWA branch president Gail Smith said her six new executives and 15 new members were a community of strong-minded women who respected that men needed their own space.

"Whether it's secret men's business in their shed or secret women's business in our CWA hall, each organisation plays a vital role in our community," Mrs Smith said.

"Part of our determination was motivated by Miss Henry (Jeanie), the first president, who in 1925 walked nearly 20 miles to attend the meeting to propose the formation of this branch.

"The other part was where we were this close to not getting back up after Cyclone Yasi knocked us over, but it was our neighbouring branches who helped pick us up."

Mrs Smith thanked nearby QCWA branch members Eleanor McCarthy and Marlene Matthews (both East Palmerston), Jean Rosendahl (Silkwood) and the then division president Meg Trimble, based in Cairns, for their support.

The Tully and District Men's Shed open day saw more than 60 people inspect and enjoy a sausage sizzle.

Men's Shed committee president Peter Little said 18 men had joined the association and expressed a strong interest in getting the shed's activities up and running as soon as possible.

Mr Little said, "We have been busy making benches and storage racks and are gearing up to start the manufacture of Mynah bird cages in the near future."

The Shed was built with the assistance of Red Cross on the QCWA site in Plumb Street directly behind the Tully QCWA Hall.

Mr Little said The Shed was open every Tuesday from 8.30am to 11.30am and that membership was open to all men from Tully and district.