Nailed It:  Eleanor leaves legacy of empowerment at Logan Women’s Shed

When Eleanor Lyons donated a shed from her property to help establish a men’s shed in Logan Village, she had no idea it would one day become the foundation for something extraordinary—a space that would empower, educate, and connect local women for years to come.
Now, at the age of 90, Eleanor has officially handed over the presidency of the Logan Women’s Shed, a community she helped create and nurture from the ground up, to fellow member Karen Moras. “I just felt it was time to hand over,” she said simply.
The story of the Logan Women’s Shed is not one of meticulous planning but of natural evolution and community spirit. Eleanor, a former member of the Logan Village Lions Club, first became involved when she heard the local men were in need of a place to launch their own men’s shed. “I had one, so I donated it,” she recalled.
Eventually, the men’s group outgrew the space and moved on. That’s when someone casually suggested: “What about a women’s shed?” The idea struck a chord, and with typical Eleanor spirit, things got rolling.
“There was so much enthusiasm for it,” she said. “We partnered with the men for about a year. They taught us how to use the tools and other things.” At first, many women were intimidated by woodworking—some hadn’t picked up a tool in their lives. But under the guidance of the men, who patiently shared their knowledge, those nerves gave way to excitement and independence. Soon enough, the women were confidently tackling their own projects.
The Logan Women’s Shed is a hub of creativity and camaraderie today. Although membership numbers fluctuate—last year, there were around 40 members, and today, there are about 27—the spirit of the group remains unchanged. It’s a place where women come not just to build furniture but also to build friendships, confidence, and skills.
The group’s workspace is well-stocked, boasting a range of tools from lathes to various saws. “Other than a few donated tools, we have fundraised and bought all the tools ourselves,” Eleanor said proudly.
Among the many projects completed over the years, Eleanor’s favorite remains her handcrafted Mustang horse, made using a scroll saw. “I’m really proud of that one,” she said. The shed also occasionally takes on custom projects for the community, the most recent being a set of table legs crafted for a customer. “They worked out beautifully,” she smiled. “We’ve managed to complete every project that’s come to us.”
But beyond the satisfaction of completed work and acquired skills, Eleanor says one of the most important outcomes of the Women’s Shed is its members' sense of independence. “You can ask to get things fixed,” she explained, “but if you have to ask too often, that’s called nagging—so it’s best if you can get it done yourself!”
Though many members are seniors, Eleanor quickly points out that the shed welcomes women of all ages. The shed has recently opened its doors on Saturday mornings to accommodate working women or those with other weekday commitments. “I’d had lots of requests over the years to open on a Saturday,” she said. “We didn’t have the time back then, but now we do—and it's open.”
Eleanor leads a rich and active life outside the Women's Shed. She’s an avid gardener and a proud member of the Jimboomba Garden Society and the Tamborine Sustainable Gardening Society. Her dedication to the community extends even further through her long-standing involvement with the Logan Village Lions Club. Among their many contributions, she’s especially proud of the club’s support for English language classes in Cambodia.
Eleanor was born in Milton, Brisbane, and spent four decades in South Australia, running a general store in a small country town with her husband. After he passed away, she moved to Jimboomba in 1989 and has been a dynamic presence in the community ever since.
And while she may no longer hold the title of president, her fingerprints—quite literally—will remain on the sawdust-covered benches and the strong, confident hearts of the women she’s helped shape with saws, screws, and solidarity.
For more info. go to: www.facebook.com/loganvillagewomansshed
•  Logan Village Women's Shed is a hands on tool friendly place where women who enjoy woodworking come together to enjoy friendship, support, explore their creativity and learn new skills.