A HUMBLE block party heralded the build for a new Sebastopol Men’s Shed base will soon unfold.
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This is a move about 18 months in waiting after securing the near $150,000 needed for a permanent place in Vickers Street.
About 20 Sebastopol Men’s Shed regulars gathered at the site on Wednesday morning for an informal, but proud, sign unveiling for their impending arrival where City of Ballarat-owned squash courts once stood.
Shed construction is likely to begin in March with men starting to move in by late June. Until then, they remain working out of their Yarrowee Street shed, which they have rented from a Ballarat builder the past three years.
Sebastopol Men’s Shed president Les Shimmin said that now the block was ready to go, members could hardly wait to get moving.
“Once the shed’s up it will take a while for us to gradually move all our stuff over and set it up how we like,” Mr Shimmin said.
“There’s be a 30-by-15 (metre) shed at the front with gardens and landscaping around it to fit in with the look and feel of the community facilities nearby.”
Men’s Sheds offer fully equipped workshops for skilled and unskilled men to work on projects and have a chat. Sheds are also a forum for men’s physical and mental health awareness and they promote social inclusion.
The new Sebastopol shed will feature separated wood and metal work areas in an improved layout.
It will be situation across the road from Ballarat Community Health’s Sebastopol hub, and nearby the water play space, day care and sporting ovals.
BCH project manager Jim Rodgers said it was important the shed reflect its neighbours and feel part of such a community-focused area.
Mr Rodgers said men’s sheds played a vital role in making a massive difference on men’s lives.
“Men’s sheds cover so many areas of men’s life that used to be talked about in pubs,” Mr Rodgers said. “It is a place for men to really engage with each other.”
Funding for the new shed was delivered under local, state and federal governments, BCH, fundraising and crowdfunding.
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