By Bob Pymm of Helensburgh Men’s Shed
Yes, the Helensburgh Men’s Shed is looking to move from its current premises.
There has been a fair amount of discussion over the years about the long-term future of the Shed, with a desire to get council support for a purpose-built facility. The recent change in ownership of our existing building has galvanised us to more actively pursue what is seen as the long-term solution to our accommodation needs.
As a not-for-profit community facility, the Shed offers a supportive environment aimed at creating a safe and welcoming space for members. Such support can be of particular importance for older men, who may find themselves a bit adrift as roles and social networks change over the years.
By providing the opportunity for socialising, working on personal and community projects, acquiring new skills and at the same time benefitting from regular presentations on health issues relevant to an older cohort, the Shed has become a real community asset. And in recent times, this has not been limited just to men, with women’s days now a regular feature in the Shed.
For years, the Shed has paid a commercial rent for the space it occupies (no government subsidies for us) while keeping membership fees at a level so that they won’t deter anyone from joining. We have been lucky with obtaining local sponsorship – a big thank you to these sponsors and if there is anyone else out there who would like to support us in some way please get in touch!
We are also supported in a modest way with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health under the National Shed Development Programme.
Inevitably though, paying the rent poses its challenges and the council has acknowledged this.
After a meeting in mid-October with council and other interested parties, we will embark upon community consultation to begin the lengthy process of identifying an appropriate site and dealing with town planning and zoning and development applications. Our aim is to create a permanent community facility that will add considerably to our town’s social infrastructure.
Two sites have been identified at Gill Park and Patrick McCarthy Hall and we would like your feedback. This is an informal information-gathering process but any feedback would be most welcome and help in developing our ideas and, longer term, the proposal.
Email feedback directly to the Council and/or to the Men’s Shed at info@helensburghmensshed.org.au. This will be a long-term project which we hope will lead to the creation of a community facility that will add to the social fabric of Helensburgh and surrounding area.
We welcome your input.
Visit Helensburgh Men’s Shed at 199A Parkes Street any Monday or Tuesday, 9am to 3pm to join or find out more.
Wollongong City Council is inviting feedback via Our Wollongong by Thursday, 31 October 2024.