Men step up call for a shed

By Bridget Cook
THE Cranbourne-Casey Men’s Shed has put hammer to nail and stepped up its push for a larger facility in the City of Casey.
The group, which operates out of a member’s garage in Cranbourne and has about 15 men on its waiting list, wants the council to make space and funds available for a big men’s shed group in the area.
On Thursday last week, members set up a stall in Centro Shopping Centre to collect signatures for a petition to hand to the council making the request.
President John Allan said more than 30 people signed the petition and they planned on collecting more before giving it to the City of Casey.
“What we are trying to do is get the City of Casey to take a bit more notice of us and set up a proper men’s shed in Casey,” he said.
“Everyone we spoke to on Thursday was really keen on the idea.
“We had lots of men sign it, and even women who have males at home getting in their way.”
Secretary and treasurer Glenn Foster said while there were two Men’s Shed’s groups in Cranbourne, they did not meet the demand.
The Cranbourne Community House has a group, which operates for three hours a week, not on school holidays and caters for up to eight men. There’s also a Men’s Shed in the Junction Village retirement village, which caters for its residents.
“What we are endeavouring to do is have it opened at least three days a week and be open to all men in the community,” Mr Foster said.
“We would have specialised programs for the elderly, disabled and Indigenous.
“As well as doing woodwork activities, we would run information sessions on topics including depression, diabetes and men’s health.”
Mr Foster said Men’s Shed groups were of great benefit to the community, as was their group, which has been running for about two and a half years.
“It’s proved a great environment where men can get together and talk to other men.
“As well as the health and wellbeing benefits, it gives men something to do and someone to talk to.
“You only have to go to your local shopping centre and see the number of men sitting there doing nothing.”
City of Casey acting manager community strengthening Lisa Speirs said in August council resolved to support the group with facilities when opportunities become available.
Ms Speirs said that support would continue to be provided to the group to re-establish linkages with other Men’s Shed type programs across Casey, and that when State Government funding was announced, an application with Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre and the Cranbourne-Casey Men’s Shed group would be considered.
“A number of Men’s Shed program and activity groups occur throughout the municipality, with two groups recently obtaining funding for infrastructure through the Department of Planning and Community Development’s Men’s Shed funding round,” she said.
“Council is providing support to the group and has investigated options for the Cranbourne-Casey Men’s Shed, however, due to the group’s request to be located in the Cranbourne area, options are limited until funding becomes available.”