Midland Men’s Shed president Dave Savage , City of Swan councillor Daniel Parasiliti, East Metropolitan MLC Alyssa Haydenand shed secretary and treasurer Kevin Buckland want to find a shed for the organisation.
Camera IconMidland Men’s Shed president Dave Savage , City of Swan councillor Daniel Parasiliti, East Metropolitan MLC Alyssa Haydenand shed secretary and treasurer Kevin Buckland want to find a shed for the organisation. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

In search of a shed

Joel KellyHills Avon Valley Gazette

It has been nearly six years since the first 10 blokes got together to start the group but now, as membership approaches 100, the search to find a shed has become more desperate.

The men’s shed is based at the Baptist Church Hall in Bellevue on Tuesdays and makes use of workshops at local schools when it can.

But the shedders have outgrown these makeshift bases and have had to turn down some community projects because they do not have the space to complete them.

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They have been waiting on the City of Swan’s long-term, multi-million dollar plan to move all community groups to Cornwell House in Middle Swan.

But the project is still in its infancy and could take up to five years to complete.

Shed secretary and treasurer Kevin Buckland said the current arrangement meant they could not provide a place for members to work on weekends.

“We are fully supportive of Cornwall House but we need something sooner,” he said.

Tired of the inaction, a working group including men’s shed members, East Metropolitan MLC Alyssa Hayden and Midland-Guildford ward councillor Daniel Parasiliti, has formed.

At City of Swan’s last meeting, councillors voted 11-3 in favour of Cr Parasiliti’s motion to establish the group and allocate up to $50,000 to the 2016-17 draft budget towards a shed.

The group also plans to lobby local businesses to help fund the project.

Cr Parasiliti said the men’s shed was already doing great work for the local community.

“Imagine what they could do if they had a shed,” he said.

The working group will officially meet next month to discuss locations and further funding options.

Already, Ms Hayden has flagged Jack Williamson Oval as a potential location due to the pre-existing ablution facilities.