Author Archives: Dave

Visit from Burpengary Meadows State School

This week, a select group of boys enjoyed a special visit to the Burpengary & Districts Men’s Shed.
Supported by Mr Bright and Mr Long, the boys have been working alongside volunteers from the Men’s Shed as part of a program designed to build skills, confidence and positive connections. The visit gave them the chance to see where the magic happens — from woodworking projects to community creations — and to learn how the Men’s Shed supports men’s mental health and wellbeing in our local area.

The crew were treated to a guided tour, plenty of friendly conversation, and a firsthand look at the incredible craftsmanship that comes from this group of generous volunteers.

“A huge thank you to the Burpengary & Districts Men’s Shed team for welcoming our students so warmly and for the difference you make in our community. Huge thanks also to Mr Bright for coordinating this program and creating this opportunity for our boys.” 

Vale David (Dave) Smallbone

It is with great sadness that we remember the life of David Smallbone. Dave passed away in the early hours of Friday the 7th of November. He joined the Burpengary and District Men’s Shed on the 13th of May 2016 and was member number 41, so has been with us for a long time. Dave has not been seen much at the shed of late as he has suffered a long illness to which he finally succumbed. Dave was instrumental in the assistance of planning and fitting out of the sheds we currently have, so his membership was greatly welcomed.
R.I.P. Dave you will be sadly missed.

Men’s Drop-In Night: The Unwritten Guide to Becoming a Man

There’s no instruction manual handed out at birth. No blueprint. No checklist. No rite of passage that guarantees we’ll grow into good men. We’re not born men—we become them. And that journey is anything but simple.

Our younger men are growing up in a world that’s louder, faster, and more confusing than ever. They’re told to be strong—but not how. They’re told to succeed—but not what success really means. They’re told to be men—but without anyone showing them how.

So, we mentor. Not with lectures, but with presence. Not with perfection, but with honesty. We share our stories—the good, the bad and sometimes the ugly!

Are the men of our past lost? Maybe. But in this Shed, we’re finding them again—in each other, in our shared struggles, and in the courage to guide the next generation.

Men’s Drop-In Night is more than a gathering. It’s a lifeline.

This event opens at 6pm with a sizzle followed by a couple of speakers.

You could be one , if you want.

Tuesday night the 7th of October- 6pm to 8pm at the Burpengary and District Men’s Shed, 1-17 Maitland Road, Burpengary East.

Members awarded “Life Membership”

At our recent 2025 AGM several members were awarded ‘Life Membership’. They
were Greame (Grimmie) Kemp, Frank Grima, Wes Roberson, and Lytton Wellings.
All these awards were for outstanding contributions to the shed during the
time of their membership.

Left to right: Greame (Grimmie) Kemp, Frank Grima, Wes Roberson, and Lytton Wellings

Vale Allan Morgan

Sad news received that one of our founding members Allan Morgan passed away
on Thursday 31 July 2025 after a long illness at the age of 83.

Extract from “The Dream” Burpengary and District Men’s Shed..

“In mid-2014 Rodney Hansen member of Wamuran Men’s Shed at the time attended
a sausage sizzle at Bunnings Morayfield where he was approached about why
there was no Men’s Shed in the Burpengary and Morayfield areas.

From these inquiries Rodney approached the local newspaper to run an
advertisement seeking interest from men in the area who were interested in
starting a Men’s Shed. As a result, of this advertisement John Hulme
contacted Rodney and informed him of a group of men (Allan Morgan, John
Beard, Bob McLachlan, Peter Wieden and John Hulme) who met on a regular
basis at a private shed in Peterson Road. Following this discussion Rodney
contacted these gentlemen and arranged a meeting. At this meeting it was
identified these men had a similar dream to start a Men’s Shed.”

Allan officially joined the Burpengary and District Men’s Shed on 24
September 2015 and was shed member #2, and he was awarded Life Membership in
2021.