By Parker McKenzie
Four years of searching and dead-ends has finally come to an end for the Upwey Men’s Shed, with the group signing a licensing agreement with a local high school to relocate to its premise.
Upwey High School granted the Men’s Shed permission to have a storage container on Education Department land at the rear of the high school, with plans for the new shed set to be announced later in the year.
Men’s Shed President Gerran Wright said the community group’s pleas were answered by the High School.
“We are very grateful for the generosity of Upwey High School and community members who want to help with donations of tools and equipment,” he said.
“Now we can start to say yes to offers of donations of tools and equipment.”
The Men’s Shed is a community-based, non-profit and non-commercial organisation, aiming to create a safe and friendly environment where men are able to work on meaningful projects.
Mr Wright said the groups fundraising has been successful with “regular sausage sizzles, raffles and bolstered by grants from Bendigo Bank, Home Instead Aged Care Services, Federal, State and Local Government to build a community shed.”
“We have raised or secured promises of grants for our shed of around $250,000 including $5000 to $6000 in fundraising from our sausage sizzles and raffles in 2022,” he said.
“Our last raffle was extremely well supported by thirty-three local businesses in Upwey and surrounding districts.”
In September 2022, the Men’s Shed put out a call to the community to help find a location for storage, as members had been storing tools and materials at their own homes. Despite having no permanent home, the Men’s Shed has maintained a membership of around 40 members.
Mr Wright said he is expecting an increase in membership when the plan for a new shed is announced in 2023.
“There will be an increase in membership from community members showing interest in gaining access to a large 250 square meter community workshop,” he said.
“Further partnership opportunities will be explored with Upwey High School and Upwey -Tecoma Community Recreation and Sporting Hub to further develop the Upwey Men’s Shed as a valuable community asset.”
The Men’s Shed storage container will be located at the rear of the High School at 1451 Burwood Hwy Upwey, with the exact location and details of the new shed yet to be finalised.
For more information about the Upwey Men’s Shed and future events, visit upweymensshed.org.au/
