Midland Men’s Shed still looking for home after five years

At least eight members worked on the construction of three angels (with a modern take) in sculptural form at the front of the Swan Christian College, designed by Scott Shaw.

The eight men from the Men’s Shed who helped build the angels included John Griffith, Phil Hollingsworth, Arthur Lambert, Bob Legge, Bill Naturalny, Michael Oliver, Jim Riddle and Dave Savage.

They completed work on the seven pillars of light in 2014 and the angel wings at the school’s entrance.

The pillars have been designed to inspire students to be better members of the community.

Using the school’s core principles of spirituality, service, wisdom, engagement, knowledge, courage and leadership, the men have also displayed these skills in the work they have completed in their shed.

After five years the men’s shed is still searching for a permanent home but the men have been able to meet at the Swan Christian College metalwork rooms to help those who felt the need to work with their hands on projects such as these.

“For those into metalwork, this has been a very rewarding past-time and the men have loved meeting here to use their workshop,” Dave Savage said.

Initial contact was made by the Director of the Swan Trade Training Centre, Peter Bolt, who believed the students might benefit from the men’s mentoring skills.

Midland’s Men Shed members on the committee this year are President David Savage, Vice President Bob Legge and Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Buckland. At the annual general meeting held in September there were 62 members out of the current membership of 83.

While the shed is growing exponentially each year, the residence for the men is yet to be determined. In the meantime the men meet at the Bellevue Baptist Church on Great Eastern Highway in Bellevue every Tuesday from 9.30am. They also have guest speakers and other projects in different locations.

The men have a band called the Music Group “Rockin” Shedders”, plus a group for budding artists. Each month a guest speaker on men’s health and other appropriate subjects attends the meetings.

About every three months the group conducts off-site visits to places like the TVW Studios, SAS in Swanbourne, and the Yarloop Steam Museum.

The Men’s Shed allows men to mix with others and discuss various topics – the level of conversation on Tuesday mornings is very high.

As part of the Cornwell House Community Workshops Committee, the men will eventually have a shed but at the moment this complex is another five years away.

The biggest snag is the cost – $6 million. It will cater for up to about eight different groups community groups. The Midland Men’s shed is still looking for temporary premises.