By Laura Michell
The Hume Men’s Shed will no longer have to turn away prospective members, after the council agreed to fund an expansion of the shed in the 2019-20 budget.
Hume Men’s Shed secretary Beryl Clewer said the group had outgrown its Craigieburn Road premises, and had been forced to turn away prospective members over the past year.
The group has about 60 members who regularly attend.
Mrs Clewer said many of the members had a disability and often brought carers with them, increasing the number of people attending the shed.
“If we get 20 or 30 guys in the shed and we have to evacuate in a hurry, it is way too dangerous. We just don’t have the room for everyone,” she said. “We are thrilled the shed will be expanded because it is such a positive place for our members.”
The group has been planning an expansion of the shed for a number of years and has raised $70,000 towards the project.
It also secured a $30,000 grant from the state government. Hume council will provide $95,500 in the 2019-20 budget.
Cr Jodi Jackson said the expansion deserved to be funded because the shed was offering men a chance to network, socialise and be a mentor.
“The men’s shed programs play a significant role in the Hume community,” she said.
