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Shark Bay Community Men’s Shed moves into new headquarters

Michael RobertsMidwest Times
Shark Bay Community Men's Shed president Tony Shkardoon and Shire of Shark Bay community development officer Ashleigh Buchholz at the new site.
Camera IconShark Bay Community Men's Shed president Tony Shkardoon and Shire of Shark Bay community development officer Ashleigh Buchholz at the new site. Credit: Supplied

Members of the Shark Bay Community Men’s Shed have been handed over the keys to its new headquarters in a much-needed upgrade from their old premises.

Up to this point the community group had to operate out of a shed that lacked basic amenities including power, water or toilets.

Clearly needing an upgrade, the Men’s Shed teamed up with Shark Bay Shire to apply for a building grant with the State Government.

They were successful, receiving a $110,000 cash injection through the Gaming Community Trust to get the project off the ground.

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SBCMS secretary treasurer David Lergessner said the new digs on Hughes Street were a significant step up.

“We had to bring in a generator to make the tools work at the old shed,” he said.

“We had a lot of members but we lost them because we didn’t have power.”

The new home of the Shark Bay Community Men's Shed.
Camera IconThe new home of the Shark Bay Community Men's Shed. Credit: Supplied

Mr Lergessner hopes the new shed’s central location will turn a few heads and bring in a more diverse group of people.

“There was a time before COVID when we opened on a Saturday morning to get more people in. It brought lots of women in seeking assistance,” he said.

“What we should be doing is a day when women have access to the shed and we can do training in handyman skills.”

Mr Lergessner said men’s sheds played an important role in regional communities.

“We have a problem with male suicide,” he said.

“A lot of young people don’t see a way forward.

“I would like to do something in that sort of area to bring them in and teach them a few things.”

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-44, according to the Black Dog Institute.

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