The Bellarine Peninsula
Friday, 30 November, 2012
Connecting people and communities
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NOVEMBER SHOP LOCAL AWARD WINNER REVEALED
12-PAGE GUIDE TO HOME IDEAS INSIDE TODAY
PAGE 5
STARTS PAGE 19
WORKING MEN: Cr Lindsay Ellis, at front, with an image of the shed under construction and members of the men’s shed, including coordinator Maria Menheere.
Picture: TOMMY RITCHIE 90809
Men put down knives as shed work finally begins By MICHELLE HERBISON A ST LEONARDS community group will soon swap its kitchen knives for hammers after construction began on their long-awaited men’s shed. St Leonard Men’s Shed spokesperson Ken Alexander said initial building works had begun on the building after nearly five years of negotiations. Contractors had set up a building site at the St Leonards Lake Reserve location, which council approved about a year ago, he said.
“They’ve said they hope to put a concrete slab down before Christmas.” The Independent reported last year that the St Leonard’s Men’s Shed group was confined to a kitchen, attending weekly cooking classes while negotiations continued over the shed. City of Greater Geelong last November backed a master plan of the reserve, which included the men’s shed. The $690,000 building would adjoin an existing community hall and also include clubrooms and toilets to service a nearby sports oval.
The backing followed various hurdles including uproar among environmentalists over a proposal to build the shed on native grassland at nearby Charles McCarthy Reserve. Mr Alexander said about 14 men attended the cooking group but many more wanted a shed. “From talking to people around town, I think we’ll finish up with about 40 or 50 people involved in the men’s shed from around the area.” Mr Alexander said the men’s shed
would create an environment for men to discuss topics including health problems. “As you get older you need somewhere to get out. You can’t hibernate,” he said. Kitchen group facilitator Maria Menheere said the men involved had become a “support group” for each other. “They stir each other endlessly. Not a week goes by without someone discussing their heart surgery, their hips or their knees,” Ms Menheere said. The men’s shed would give the grow-
ing group opportunities for “skill-sharing” with each other, local schools and disadvantaged community members, she said. Mr Alexander hoped the shed group could make toys for charity. Ward councillor Lindsay Ellis expected the project would be complete about May. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for the older men of the town. This has been four years in the making,” Cr Ellis said.