Bayswater Community Men’s Shed a flurry of activity eight months after opening

EIGHT months since its opening, Bayswater Community Men’s Shed was a flurry of activity this morning, with men sawing, sanding and having a good chinwag over coffee.

The shed has started to fill up with machines, tools, timber, a sit down morning tea area, library area and computer room, and boasts 78 members with an average age of 68 years.

Last year, City of Bayswater put $130,000 towards building works to convert the Raymond Street storage facility behind the ranger and security office and offered the group a peppercorn lease.

To complete the transformation into a working shed, the group was recently granted $25,000 from Lotterywest for equipment including a dust extractor, to add to donated and discounted materials.

President Jim Chantry said a “mandatory” morning tea was part of the shed, as blokes often lost contact with friends after they retired.

“The most important part of the shed is the chairs and tables… men can sit and have a chat,” he said.

“Someone who has never used a hammer or saw in their life can come in… they’re tinkering, the men are learning new skills, making things themselves.”

Secretary Harry Porrins said they matched people’s skills up with different jobs.

“We had a whole group of guys who didn’t know each other… now they’re starting to work together,” he said.

The men’s shed is restoring 20 wooden tables for Maylands Peninsula Golf Course, and recently completed planter boxes to go out the front of Morley Library.

It also constructed seats and tables out of pallets for a Denmark resident.

Member Tony Green teaches computer skills to members on the mezzanine floor.