Channel Men’s Shed was one of six men’s sheds to join a pilot program called Power People Project, an initiative to educate communities on reducing power usage.
Aurora Energy and TasNetworks are collaborating with the Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association (TMSA) to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to understand their energy usage, manage costs effectively and make informed decisions in the ever-evolving energy landscape.
Channel Men’s Shed President Peter Norris said Aurora Energy and TasNetworks staff provided training for the men’s sheds volunteers so they can then run information sessions for their local communities as ‘Power People’.
“The objective is for the Power People volunteers to hold information sessions for their members and for the wider community to encourage interested consumers to more closely scrutinise and take control of their energy bills,” Mr Norris said.
This includes tips like replacing halogen and incandescent lights with energy-saving LED lights or using blinds and curtains to prevent heat loss.
A pilot program was run with six member sheds (Channel, Dover, Howrah, Kings Meadows, Rosebery and Waratah) this year to help design the project, with plans to roll the program out to the entire network of more than 70 sheds.
Secretary Bruce Weller said the TMSA welcomed the opportunity to work with Aurora and TasNetworks.
“It’s exciting for our members to be trained and educated on the latest and most efficient methods in reducing power usage,” Mr Weller said.
“This will in turn result in cost savings to both men’s sheds and their members, but also their families and friends.”
Aurora Energy CEO Nigel Clark said the grassroots project was about fostering a community-driven approach to energy education.
“We are really pleased to be working in collaboration with TasNetworks and men’s sheds to increase energy literacy in the Tasmanian community,” Mr Clark said.
“It’s a perfect alignment with our purpose to help make energy easy for Tasmanians and to help people take better control of their energy usage.”
TasNetworks CEO Seán McGoldrick said the Power People Project is a clear opportunity to deliver on their purpose of powering a bright future for Tasmanians.
“The Power People Project is providing an invaluable platform for community members to receive this essential information, from people they trust in places they’re familiar with,” Mr McGoldrick said.
“We thank the pilot men’s sheds for their ongoing commitment and dedication to supporting their communities.”
