A CAREER selling property from Swan Bay to Coolongolook has given real estate agent Debra Thomson a unique insight into the communities of the Myall Coast, and an understanding of the challenges the region faces.

Since launching her own company, Debra Thomson Property, Debra has been searching for a way of giving back to the townships and villages she operates in.

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Launching this month, Debra will now donate $200 from the commission of every property sale to a community group or organisation in need.

Debra will select a worthy recipient for the donation from the immediate area the sale was made in.

“I have been thinking about doing something like this for a long time,” she said.

“We have always wanted to help the community, but thought ‘how can we do that?’

“At least I thought I could start donating some of my commission to worthwhile causes,” Debra said.

“Now that I work for myself, I am able to finally do it!” she said.

On Wednesday, 2 February, Debra met with members of the Bulahdelah Men’s Shed, the first recipients of her donation scheme.

“I thought I would start with the Men’s Shed,” Debra said.

“It is mostly older guys who have retired, who are old-school craftsmen and don’t want to sit down and do nothing.

“They are very, very passionate about what they do.

“The money will help them buy materials, or whatever they need, and I think the Men’s Shed at Bulahdelah is a great cause, and they do great work,” Debra said.

Newly appointed Bulahdelah Men’s Shed President David Flynn was overjoyed that Debra had thought of his group for the donation.

“It’s fantastic that someone like Debra is backing the Men’s Shed, it’s been a bit of a battle, especially through the Covid times.”

This donation, along with other recent generous donations from the community, will help to support the diverse work of the Shed, which can range from building wildlife boxes for local conservation groups, to restoring household cabinetry or repairing a family cubby house.

“We take on pretty much anything,” David said.

“Anyone who turns up with a need, whether it be in the Shed or on-site, we will do our best to help them.”

The donation comes at a key time of change for the Men’s Shed, as the group begins the process of relocation to larger, more suitable premises.

“We are really starting the process of moving to a bigger Shed,” David said.

“Every bit of donation we can get is very helpful in sourcing the gear we need to move forward at this moment.

“The Shed itself is too small and no longer suits our needs.

“We are at capacity here, if we have more members coming in, we have to start working outside and there are too many access restrictions for our elderly members.”

Generously, the Bulahdelah Golf Club has offered the Men’s Shed a parcel of land on which to build their new premises, and the Men’s Shed have begun the process of applying for grant funding to finalise the move.

“We are determined that the Shed is going to keep going and prosper,” David said.

“We will be applying for every bit of funding which we can.”

David hopes to build on the stellar work of past-President John Lee, who has recently stepped down from the role.

“John has done an absolutely fantastic job,” David said.

“He took over the Shed when it was pretty much on its knees and he has been able to progress it to where it is now.”

David has resided in Bulahdelah for about twelve months, and has enjoyed the camaraderie offered within the walls of the Men’s Shed.

With the first commission donation made, Debra is excited to see the impact her donations can make in the local communities in which she works.

“I don’t know where this journey will take me, I just want to help keep local communities going and support them,” Debra said.

For more information about the Bulahdelah Men’s Shed, contact David Flynn at dhflynn1@gmail.com or call 0419293854.

By Doug CONNOR