Elsie Lange
Eight years in the making, the Hume Men’s Shed in Craigieburn is now bigger, better and more welcoming than ever before.
Boasting a new community area and a metal and wood workshop, today’s launch of the expanded social facility was a celebration of all of the collaboration and hard work required to make it what it is today.
Hume Men’s Shed president Bruce Triptree said he was “proud”, and wanted to thank Hume council and the Men’s Shed members.
“I think everybody who is here today is amazed by what we’ve achieved,” Mr Triptree said.
The upgrade from the small shed to the now-giant facility was a group effort, with nearly $400,000 in funding from Hume City, $195,000 from the Hume Men’s Shed – which includes $97,000 from the state government – and $54,000 from the federal government.
Yuroke MP Ros Spence spoke at the reopening and said the “popularity and importance” of Men’s Shed quickly became clear when soon after moving into its current location, it was outgrown.
Ms Spence told Star Weekly it was a great day for the community.
“The Men’s Shed has been a victim of its own success, it’s outgrown its facilities really quickly,” Ms Spence said.
“This is a very accessible Men’s Shed that welcomes a really diverse range of people,” she added.
“To be able to continue to grow is really great news.”
Hume Mayor Carly Moore also spoke at the ceremony and said the sheds provide men of all ages and abilities with a place to connect, socialise, learn and create.
“Today’s launch of the upgraded Hume Men’s Shed here in Craigieburn comes at a very important time as people look for ways to reconnect with others and socialise,” Cr Moore said.
“What began as a small building is now an expansive, well-equipped and accessible facility,” she added.
