Tuesday, 9 June 2026
Celebrating Community Spirit with Bunnings
The Bunnings Community Shed Awards shine a light on the incredible volunteer work carried out by Men’s Sheds across Victoria. These awards celebrate the spirit of mateship, generosity and practical support that defines our Shed culture.
Thanks to the generous support of Bunnings, this year’s award recipients – Clifton Springs Men’s Shed and Dereel Men’s Shed – each received a $200 Bunnings voucher and a prize pack to help them continue making a difference in their local communities.
We encourage all Sheds to reach out to their local Bunnings Activities Coordinator to see how they can support your volunteer efforts – from supplies and resources to a good old-fashioned fundraising BBQ.
Dereel Men’s Shed Bunnings Community Shed Award Winner, Central Highlands Region
In February 2024, the small town of Dereel was threatened by a fast-moving grassfire that burned 110 hectares, came within 50 metres of the Men’s Shed, and prompted urgent evacuation warnings. With more than 300 firefighters battling the blaze, the community braced for impact.
In the aftermath, it was the Dereel Men’s Shed that helped bring the community back together. As the only incorporated committee in the town of 700 people, the Shed led efforts to organise a community gathering at the local centre – providing space for locals to reconnect, debrief and acknowledge the tireless work of their local CFA volunteers.
Their leadership in this time of crisis was recognised with the inaugural Bunnings Central Highlands Community Shed Award – a tribute to the role Sheds play not just in building things, but in strengthening communities.
Clifton Springs Bunnings Community Shed Award Winner, Geelong Region
The Clifton Springs Men’s Shed was recognised at the Geelong Roadshow with the Bunnings Community Shed Award for the Geelong area, thanks to their wide-ranging and heartfelt contributions to the local community.
One of their standout initiatives has been supporting Wombats Wish, a charity that provides grief support to children who have lost a parent. The Shed donated $2,000 to the organisation and handcrafted beautiful memory boxes for the children attending the charity’s weekend camps – a gesture that added a personal and lasting touch to their healing journey.
Community engagement is at the heart of everything the Shed does. Members recently took part in the Bellarine Agricultural Show in Portarlington, where they joined the Discovery Trail and helped children build money box kits – a fun and interactive way to encourage hands-on skills and creativity.
The Shed also maintains a strong connection with local aged care residents. Each month, a group of members visits Drysdale Grove Aged Care, sharing lunch and stories with residents. The planter boxes they built and donated are now a cheerful and practical addition to the home’s garden areas.
Their generosity extended further with the donation of three handcrafted boards to the Drysdale Bowling Club, which were auctioned off to raise funds for the Team Jack Foundation – a charity supporting families whose children are undergoing medical treatment.
From helping young children in grief to enriching the lives of the elderly, and supporting vital fundraising causes, the Clifton Springs Men’s Shed is a shining example of what it means to support your community in big and small ways. Their recognition by Bunnings is well deserved, and we congratulate them on this meaningful award.
