Sunbury blokes get an extra shed at Evans Street

More men will be ‘at work’ in Sunbury after a second Men’s Shed in the town threw open its doors to welcome new members on Saturday.

The shed, at 158-160 Evans Street, with about 74 members, will operate with help from Hume council.

The original shed is at Sunbury Community Health, 12-28 Macedon Street.

The new shed is open to people of all ages, and organisers are looking for more members.

Secretary Norman Ripp says: “It’s a place to escape. We’re all retired down there; we’re all in the same boat. We like to yak away. Guys tend to let out more when we’re all together rather than with women.”

Mr Ripp says men don’t have to be constructors to be involved with the shed.

“You can just go down there; some people play around with woodwork, some play chess.

“You don’t have to be someone who knows about woodwork, carpentry or metalwork.”

Mr Ripp said a lot of work had brought the shed up to scratch. “The former president had visions of it being the best in the area.

“We’ve been given a lot of money from the council to get the shed established and we live off donations and money from sausage sizzles. If it wasn’t for these people who donated time or money, we would be a fish out of water.”

Former president Ian Lupson was the main instigator in getting the shed up and running in the town. Mr Ripp said the shed could potentially open for longer hours. For now, it’s open Monday-Wednesday, 9am-noon.

More details: 0418 403 281