Local men need bigger shed

Group chairman Eddie Holmes showed Mr Reynolds around the premises to demonstrate the cramped shed space used by the group’s 66 members.

‘Unfortunately, I have to tell new members that we don’t have enough space,’ Mr Holmes said. ‘They’ll come down once or twice, then some just won’t come back.’

Mr Holmes said there was not enough space to expand the shed but the club did not want to leave because the rent was free the electricity cheap.

‘We are hoping to get a new shed adjacent or close by to have a place for our guys to do welding and spray painting,’ he said.

The City of Canning will provide a $6000 grant for the group to upgrade machinery and provide a cover around the shed.

Mr Reynolds said he was interested in providing the Men’s Shed with more space alongside another community group to benefit from collaboration.

‘There is a lot of angry old men in the community, so it’s good to have groups like this that allow the blokes to get out to socialise and have a sense of purpose,’ Mr Reynolds said. ‘This is what a council should be all about.’