Bigger premises hails start of new era for Men’s Shed

A key community organisation has ushered in a new era by moving into bigger and better premises in Broome just five years after opening.

The Broome Men’s Shed, under the charity’s national banner “standing shoulder to shoulder”, reached a milestone last Saturday when its new headquarters were opened by Community Services Minister Tony Simpson.

Mr Simpson unveiled a wall plaque fronting the old St John Ambulance substation in Jones Place as its new home in front of about 50 guests and officials.

The curtain was also lifted on the organisation’s new Toyota Coaster bus, named Trevor the Tram, donated by Southern Cross Care WA.

Broome Men’s Shed president Clive Johnson said the group had outgrown its former premises in a shed behind the Broome Community Recovery Centre.

“The donations have just flooded in and we thank everyone in the community for their support,” he said.

“We had five (shipping) containers full of materials like tools, paint and wood all stacked away at the old premises that we couldn’t use. There was simply no room left.

“People actually left us stuff in their wills. We have got a 13-foot centre consul boat, we have got a forklift, we have got a ute, two trailers and so it goes on.”

Mr Johnson said the group had about 33 members and he expected that to go beyond 100 because the new building offered more room with better resources.

He said people were being referred to the shed by doctors and specialists.

The Shire of Broome has provided the building at a peppercorn rent along with grant funding towards the new bus.

WA Men’s Shed development officer Brett Pollock said the organisation was growing strongly and every shed was autonomous.

He said the only three stipulations were that they were legal, insured and incorporated.

“If they do that, we will happily support them,” he said.

Mr Pollock said the Men’s Shed brigade across Australia was 175-strong and was now bigger than Apex, Lions and Rotary combined.