Men’s shed pushes for a 10-year lease

The men’s shed is seeking an unprecedented 10-year lease with the option for 10 more years at Falls Road in Lesmurdie, a proposal that was passed at the Shire of Kalamunda’s corporate and community services committee meeting on August 19.

The organisation, which provides a place for retired men to work on various projects for themselves and the community, has been operating for almost five years with about 120 members on its books ” up 20 per cent from when it first launched.

The group had to move from its first location at the old police station on Canning Road to the Lesmurdie Scout Hall on Falls Road a year ago.

Chairman Richard Gates and vice chairman Elton Brown argued their points at the meeting last week.

‘Our destiny is soon to be in the hands of another local authority and the men’s shed could be in jeopardy if it does not have the same commitment as it does from the Kalamunda Shire,’ Mr Brown said.

Mr Gates said he had seen other local governments lack the ‘appetite and support’ for men’s sheds.

‘We have men coming from Bayswater and Belmont to join with us; one man catches the bus up from Cloverdale,’ he said.

‘In the hands of any other local government, all the hard work put into our men’s shed could go down the drain.

‘The 10-year lease would put us in a better position to deal with any issues that may arise in the future.’

Mr Gates said that a secure spot for their organisation would enhance funding prospects.

‘Membership is growing organically; the more facilities we have, the more people want to join,’ he said.

‘We will need to add funding over the years to expand and keep up, but Lotterywest require a lease of at least five years before they consider funding.’