A better home

Norman Williams, John Allan, Dennis Vernon, Glenn Foster and Robert Adams hope to have their Men’s Shed home at a larger venue. 41847

By Bridget Brady
A MEN’S Shed group that meets in a member’s garage in Cranbourne is hoping for a bigger and better home.
The group of about five men, who trade as Cranbourne Casey Men’s Shed, is hoping to receive a grant through the Men’s Sheds Funding Program to establish a men’s shed adjacent to the Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre in Cranbourne North.
If the group can secure funding it will be able to take in new members.
President John Allan said the group had been meeting for a few months to provide a social outlet for the men.
“We’re not trained social workers or anything. For some it’s just about getting out of the house and having somebody to talk to,” Mr Allan said.
Many of the men in the group were retired and of varying ages, he said.
“A lot of people have worked for 45 or 50 years and suddenly their working life comes to an end and they are bored out of their brains,” he said
The men occasionally dabble in a bit of woodwork, and would welcome donations of tools, wood working and metal magazines.
At a recent Casey City Council meeting, Mayfield Ward councillor Amanda Stapledon offered her support for the men’s shed proposal.
“A men’s shed is a terrific initiative and would offer a much-needed outreach to the men in our community to meet, chat, to share skills and information and to undertake projects that might not be able to be undertaken elsewhere,” Cr Stapledon said.
“It would be great to see a shed built at Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre and more throughout Casey in the future.”
Mr Allan, who was involved in the Carrum Downs Men’s Shed, said a new home at the community centre would enable them to expand the group.
Manager of the Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre, Jan Gilchrist, said discussions about the possible establishment of a men’s shed space at the centre were in their infancy.
“It does depend on the amount of funding and if there would be any support from council,” Ms Gilchrist said.
If anyone has metal or wood working magazines or tools they would like to donate phone John Allan on 5998 2414.