Lalor District Men’s Shed is hoping upgraded facilities will help increase its member numbers,
The group’s location at the old trade wing in Lalor Secondary College, has recently undergone 12 months’ worth of renovations.
The renovations involved stripping back the old building to remove the asbestos that previously covered much of the structure, in order to allow the men’s shed to lease the location.
The Lalor men’s shed came about after local MP Bronwyn Halfpenny saw the need for one in the area.
She put an ad in the paper and about 10-12 people showed up to the meeting and got it started.
The shed currently has around 84 members with about 60 who are financial.
Shed president Merv Landy said, Covid had hit them hard in terms of membership and once Covid was over they started renovations and it knocked them.
However, now that the renovations are complete, old members are re-joining and a lot of new members have joined up as well,
“Things are going along just fine at the moment,” he said. “Our main activities are of course woodwork and metalwork; we’ve also got a gardening group and a cooking group.”
With renovations complete, they have plans to install a garden and green room where members can go out and have a cup of tea or coffee.
The men’s shed is also currently on a membership drive with a goal of reaching 100 members by Christmas.
Landy said they were especially on the lookout for younger workers still in the workforce.
They will begin opening on Saturdays along with their usual Wednesday and Thursdays to accommodate younger workers.
Landy also said the men’s shed was great for retired or semi-retired guys that have left their job and are now at a loose end and looking for something to do.
