The Coolum Womens Shed Inc. is a community based not for profit organisation, building a community of women on the Sunshine Coast. The organisation is administered by its Management Committee comprising the following office bearers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 5 general members, and follows its Constitution. It is the responsibility of the Management Committee to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its members, volunteers and facilitators. All members, volunteers and facilitators shall be treated with respect. Volunteers shall carry out duties and direction as assigned by the Management of the Coolum Women’s Shed and its policies and procedures.

PURPOSE
This policy is intended to ensure all members, volunteers and facilitators attending the Shed can participate in activities in a physically and emotionally safe and welcoming environment at both on and offsite venues.

INTENDED USERS
  •  Members
  •  Volunteers
  •  Facilitators
  •  Guests

POLICY ON ANIMALS
The Coolum Women’s Shed are unable to cater for any animals of any kind to attend on site or offsite activities, (apart from Certified Assistance Dogs.)
This is due to a number of factors:
  •  inadequate and unsuitable space or environment for animals
  •  members who have animal allergies
  •  members who have experienced prior frightening experiences
  •  uncontrolled animal behaviour
  •  prior negative experience when people have brought animals to activities
  •  health and safety issues

Coolum Women’s Shed Purpose includes the following statement:
Our space, away from responsibilities of home and work, allows women a chance to focus on
their needs and build supportive friendships with women of all life stages and backgrounds.

Certified Assistance Dogs are allowed as per the following Government Acts:
Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 allows for the OWNERS OF ASSISTANCE
DOGS, the right to take their animals into all public places and onto public transport,
including buses and trains.
(Owners of assistance dogs have the right to take their animals into all public places and
onto public transport, including buses and trains. The Commonwealth Disability
Discrimination Act 1992 makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person with a disability
who is using an assistance dog.)

Queensland Laws
 Restricts assistance dogs access to ambulances.
 Restricts access to food preparation areas. This means kitchens, it doesn't apply to
the public spaces of restaurants and cafes.
 Authorizes only approved organisations and individuals to certify assistance dogs.

This information will allow us to contact anyone involved and deal appropriately with any
incident. It will also enable the Women’s Shed to implement new processes and risk
mitigations to minimise the risk in the future. The Management Committee will be
informed of any reported incidents / near- misses.

This policy will be made available on our website and to any person who requests a copy
from [email protected].

CWS Animal Policy                                                                                 The Coolum Women’s Shed Inc. IA58358 January 2022