IT may seem strange that a woman started a men’s shed but in Hilary Peters’ case her work was influential.
As the instigator of the Manning Men’s Shed, she was instrumental in getting it up and running before she died in 2015.
To honour the former Manning Senior Citizens Centre secretary’s work, a plaque was unveiled on October 27 in her honour.
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READ NOWGreg Peters said he was appreciative of the acknowledgement that his mother received.
“She had a real passion for the men’s shed and no matter the hurdles, she saw it through,” he said.
Manning Men’s Shed co-ordinator Ron Tompkin said the inspiration behind the men’s shed came from Mrs Peters after she saw similar concepts on television.
“She contacted the men’s shed in Fremantle and came to us with all the research, she wouldn’t let it go,” he said.
Manning Senior Citizens Centre chairwoman Sharron Hawkins-Zeeb said Mrs Peter was dedicated to the cause.
“She would come into the meetings carrying an oxygen tank, she was always on the ball,” she said.
“When the men’s shed was opened, she came in and had a beaming smile, you could see the satisfaction.”
Among the people to speak during the plaque unveiling was former City of South Perth Mayor and Manning Seniors Citizens Centre life member John Collins and South Perth MLA John McGrath.
In attendance were members of the Manning Men’s Shed and Mrs Peters family members.
The men’s shed was opened in February 2015 at a cost of $430,000 and its annual budget has grown from $5000 to $60,000.
The shed has about 20 members using it every day, who help out with community projects.
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