New bus for Broome Men’s Shed

The Broome Men’s Shed received the keys to a disability friendly Toyota Coaster Bus at a presentation ceremony held at Bran Nue Dae, Broome. On behalf of Southern Cross Care (WA) (SCC), Graydn Spinks, General Manager Services, was in Broome to formally acknowledge the great work of the Men’s Shed and donation of the bus.

“The relationship between Southern Cross Care and the Men’s Shed over the years has been invaluable. One of the key challenges faced by Residential Home Germanus Kent House and Community Care Services Bran Nue Dae is the continued engagement of their clients with the local Broome community and culture. Men’s Shed Broome plays a key role in helping this happen,” Mr Spinks says.

Over the years the Men’s Shed has made significant generous donations to SCC from making cupboards, boarders for garden beds, turning 44 gallon drums into garden beds and making photograph boards for Bran Nue Dae and Germanus Kent House and regularly visiting with SCC clients. 

The bus is an important link for the Broome community and will be used not only by members of the Men’s Shed but also to assist a number of community organisations in transporting their members to various activities. The bus has specialist fittings to support the transportation of people with disabilities and is a great benefit to the community.

The Men’s Shed will manage and service the bus. Clive Johnson, President of the Men’s Shed Broome says, “The bus is a really big thing for the Broome Community. It will be turned into a tram and used as community transport for several community run organisations.”

Working together with the community, SCC and the Men’s Shed helps to complete the circle of care for the men in the Broome community. With access to the disability friendly Coaster Bus, it is hoped that many more men in the community will have the opportunity to visit the Men’s Shed and enjoy the benefits of building new friendships and new skills.