It’s nothing glamorous, just a 20 by 12 tin shed, but the guys at Castlemaine Men’s Shed are itching to move in.
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On Friday morning, they celebrated the official opening of their facility, with Maree Edwards, Member for Bendigo West.
The facility has been in the works for over two years. Along with negotiating for a lease on the land, the men have been working hard to raise money to match the funds from a state government grant.
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With pledges from groups including Rotary, Lions and Mount Alexander Shire, along with work in kind from local tradesman, they were able to raise the funds.
The space is fully insulated, and with split system air conditioning. Most importantly, it’s their own space.
Previously, the men were in a shed out the back of community facility Windarring, Castlemaine, which they only had access to half a day a week.
The new shed however, will be a whole community facility, says President Brian McCormick.
“It’s been fitted out lovely inside,” Mr McCormick said.
The Men’s Shed group at Castlemaine has been running for four years now. Mr McCormick sees it as an invaluable organisation both for the men involved, and for the community as a whole.
When men retire from work, they often might paint their house, go on that caravan trip they’ve always wanted to, says Mr McCormick.
Then, they run out of things to, he says.
That’s where the Men’s Shed comes in. The group simply gives men something to do, with a purpose and community, says Mr McCormick.
Instead of languishing at home, they have the opportunity to do useful work, and enjoy each other’s company.
“When you retire from work, the thing you miss when you leave work is that interaction with people… and blokes are terrible at talking,” he said.
“Something like a men’s shed, blokes have something to do.”
Ms Edwards congratulated the Castlemaine Men’s Shed committee and members for their achievement building the shed.
“Men’s sheds are great for the health and wellbeing of men and play an important role in bringing people across the Castlemaine area together,” she said.
“Victorian communities are reaping the social benefits of having a men’s shed – men are able to access a safe place to have a chat, meet new people and give back to the community.”