Open: Bob Westlake with other members at the Whittington Men’s Shed.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
FOUR years of work have culminated in a $240,000 East Geelong men’s shed officially opening.
Membership officer Bob Westlake said the work and the wait had been “worth it in the end”.
The shed had already signed up 70 members popping in to potter around on woodwork, metalwork or computer projects.
“We do some community work as well,” Mr Westlake said.
“We’re doing some bookshelves for the scout heritage museum at the moment. We’ve done projects for local kinders and schools and completed a mentoring program at Moolap Primary School last year.”
Mr Westlake said the shed was “good for men’s mental health”.
“It means they have a place where they can get together with other blokes instead of hiding on their own in the garden shed,” he said.
Mayor John Mitchell, who officially opened the facility, said it was the city’s first purpose-built men’s shed.
“A lot of men who have retired still want to be actively involved in the community and men’s sheds are the perfect way for them to put their skills to good use,” he said.
City Hall provided $160,000 and State Government added $60,000 to the project.
Mr Westlake asked anyone interested in joining the shed to phone him on 0447 106 036.
