THE men of Sebastopol need a new shed and they are determined to get one as quickly as possible.
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The Sebastopol Men’s Shed group currently loans a small shed from a builder – but they need something that they can make their own.
The group, active for more than 10 years, provides a vital meeting place for men of all ages.
There are more than 60 members – but the group hope a new shed will allow that number to potentially double, and also enable the group to offer a more diverse range of activities and support services.
Secretary John Cooper has been involved in the group for more than a decade. He joined after finding himself at a loose end when he retired.
A computer technician by trade, retirement left him feeling like he was “rattling around the house”.
Men’s Shed has given him purpose.
“When you retire, you have nothing to do. I was rattling around,” Mr Cooper said.
“For me, it’s a sense of achievement.
“You see people come and their confidence grows.”
The group has received significant government funding for a new shed which will be built off Vicar Street in a community and health precinct, however they need a little bit more to get over the line.
The new location will put the shed in the centre of many of the services it links to.
Ballarat Community Health experts run regular sessions for men on general health, smoking health, prostate health and podiatry.
“Men never talk about anything,” Mr Cooper said.
Having these sessions provides the men with an outlet top speak and a place to be informed.
Ballarat Community Health says Men's sheds are now established as part of the health infrastructure that supports programs to improve men's health and well being in the community.
To bolster their shed piggy bank the men held a barbecue, music session and general fundraiser on Saturday.
The shed currently offers carpentry, woodwork, computer work and machinery.