IT has become the battle of two community causes: a high school agriculture program versus a regional men’s support program.
In February this year, Bundaberg Regional Council awarded a 10-year lease on 3A North St near the Childers’ CBD for the construction of a Men’s Shed facility.
That land however, is currently used by Isis High School as an agricultural studies block including a small cropping plot and some livestock.
Leading the charge in defence of the school’s agriculture program is secretary of the Childers and District Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association, Donna Duncan.
Mrs Duncan says the organisation has gone to great lengths in recent years to bolster the high school agriculture program including the awarding of an annual $500 bursary, plus the contribution of some $100,000 in infrastructure.
“Ag studies here was a place where you went when you didn’t want to do anything else. That’s not the case here anymore,” Mrs Duncan said.
“It would be such a sad thing to see it go.”
The association also puts money into the edible gardens and agriculture plots at the high school’s feeder primary schools such as St Joseph’s in Childers, Childers State School, Booyal State School, Biggenden State School, Cordalba State School and Howard State School.
“Our focus is, we need farmers into the future – we’re all getting too old,” Mrs Duncan said.
“These kids are learning how to become farmers.
“They are getting their hands in the dirt, they’re grafting trees, they’re marcotting, they are learning how to work around cattle.”
Men’s Sheds focus on male health and well-being by providing a place where men can work on practical projects and learn skills.
Plans for the not-for-profit organisation’s facilities include a 15m x 10m shed and on-site car parking for 10 vehicles.
A second stage will include a 5m x 10m extension to the eastern end of the building.
Childers Men’s Shed president Rob Dight said the group felt like the “meat in the sandwich” as the Bundaberg Regional Council allocated the land to them.
He said there appeared to be a misunderstanding in local media as to what a Men’s Shed actually does and he intended to clarify that with a statement next week.
Mrs Duncan said she isn’t blaming those behind the Men’s Shed initiative but said there hasn’t been adequate consultation which could jeopardise the school’s agriculture program.
“It’s got nothing to do with the Men’s Shed. The Men’s Shed do a great job,” she said.
At the centre of the tussle is something of an unwritten “gentleman’s agreement” between Isis High and the former Isis Shire Council, which came under Bundaberg Regional Council after amalgamation in 2008.
Isis divisional representative Councillor Tony Ricciardi said the property adjoins a larger parcel of land which at the time was identified for future sport and recreation initiatives.
“It is fortunate we have been able to find a use for the land in keeping with that vision,” Mr Ricciardi said.
Mr Ricciardi said he is fully supportive of both the high school agricultural program and the Men’s Shed initiative and hoped an amicable solution could be worked out.
Mr Ricciardi said he would be meeting with high school representatives on Thursday to further discuss the issue, with the possibility of identifying new land for the school’s animal husbandry studies.
Education Queensland said it did not wish to comment on the situation.
