Pioneer Valley Men's Shed

25/04/2026

A huge thankyou to Matt from Finch Hatton for donating a large trailer full tools and various goodies. Our members are very grateful to all the
people, and business' that have kindly donated their excess items over the last 5 years.

A bit like the old ad, " we are going to need a bigger boat", but with some clever placement, and mounting some items on wheels, our shed is just right.

Continued thanks to Sporting Shooters Assoc of Qld, and SSAA Mackay Branch for our shed.

New members always welcome, ph 0417 762 485 for info.

11/04/2026

A huge thankyou to Marian residents who purchased tickets in our mud kitchen raffle this morning. This income helps us with our monthly expenses, mainly electricity.
The winner was number 93, and some happy children at Vella's Rd Marian will shortly be up to their elbows in mud pies.
Our shed welcomes all interested to come along, maybe make something, or just make new friends.
Stories at smoko do not have to be entirely true,
a bit like fishermen telling about the one that got away.
Any questions, call 0417 762 485.

04/04/2026

Our shed members will be holding a raffle at Marian Shopping Centre
outside Woolies, on Saturday 11th April from 8am.
Prize is a childrens mud kitchen.
Delivery can be arranged, if not too far no problem.
Built strong, new (old stock) double bowl sink,new flick mixer, new wheels. Photo of a previous build.
Tickets $2 each, or 3 for $5. Cash only.
Info also available about our shed.
Ladies we can mind your man while you shop.

26/03/2026

New project starting Saturday.
Build a 4 seater wagon that can be hitched up to the camel in the paddock next to our shed.
She looks a bit rough and ready, but a bit of lip gloss and a trip to the hairdresser, and looks good.
If it works out ok, might build a 2 seat sports version using the donkey in the same paddock.

23/02/2026

Our shed now has a highly skilled IT Department.
That would be Ivan and Trevor,
who just finished 10 Micro Bat condos.

Very small bats that roam at night eating lots of tasty insects, and pollinate plants etc.
They can eat half their body weight each night.

To be installed and property management duties done by Mackay Wildlife Rehabilitation.

The plywood kindly supplied by M & P Services
Mackay.

19/02/2026

Getting sick of the rain, also it is getting expensive. I now have to buy another rain gauge, as they are all full. 3 this year.

21/01/2026

Our shed has been extremely lucky to have received some quality equipment last week.
Whitsunday Anglican School has replaced some wood working equipment, which are now in place at our shed. A great table saw, a wood lathe and a air compressor. These items are much better than our current items, so smiles all round.
Thank you Whitsunday Anglican School.

But wait, there is more.

Curt Brooke, from Trucair Lubrication Services in Glenella, very kindly donated a great lot of woodworking tools, a top class wood lathe, and boxes of suprises which we are still opening, and the words, "Oh wow, look at this" is heard often.

Thank you Curt and staff members.

We will now be able to move on some of the older items, which still work well, to a deserving home.

Our shed has only been going for just over 4 years,
started with not much, and now we are well equiped to make almost anything, while remembering the golden rule,
" Measure once, smoko twice".

Why not join us, a great bunch of people.

And lastly, but not least, continuing thanks to
Sporting Shooters Assoc. Australia, Qld Branch for providing us with a shed to operate from.

14/01/2026

24/12/2025

Who has stopped and read this plaque. It could do with a tidy up.
Maybe some newer residents dont know why Mackay was named. Here is your answer.
It is at the southern end of the Pleystowe bridge.
I think I remember it being in the yard of the house on the northern side of the bridge, the yard with the large pine trees.
The offical opening plaque is on the reverse side of the large rock on which both plaques are attached.

22/12/2025

Only you still around.

Due to the response to the plaque at the Marian Mill, paying respect to one of the town's founders,
here is another.
Edward Lloyd Park near Melba House, was named in honour of Edward Lloyd who the Mirani Shire Council Clerk from 1921 to 1954.
He was responsible for making plans for retaining land for parks in the shire.
I personally would like to see details of people when a place is named after them.