Almost 50 blokes have become members of the Lalor and District Men’s Shed in its first month of operation.
Thomastown MP Bronwyn Halfpenny backed a community campaign for a men’s shed in Lalor in July by calling on local businesses and community groups to donate materials to help kickstart the program.
An official opening was held on March 28 in the old classrooms at Peter Lalor Vocational College.
Local residents, politicians and Whittlesea councillors were at the opening ceremony, where praise was heaped on Ms Halfpenny who was instrumental in securing the
use of the now-vacant classrooms as an initial base.
“It’s been talked about for some time and I just gave it a little prod at the end,” she said.
The shed’s partnership with the college makes it one of a kind. Students are given the chance to collaborate with the men on projects such as a steel-frame pergola now being built for the school.
College principal Paul Ryan said the school had badged itself by offering only VCAL and VET programs and specialising in preparing students for the workplace.
Shed secretary Allan Carbis, a retired electrician, said some of the members were also ex-tradies and a few taught trade subjects at various TAFE colleges.
“But it’s not about that,” Mr Carbis said. “We’d be happy to have people come along just for a coffee,” he added.
He said despite the name, the ‘shed’ also welcomed women.
