Shed skills shared

By Kath Gannaway
EVERY man needs a shed, and at Yarra Junction they have a beauty.
Ben’s Shed is a new initiative along the lines of the popular Men’s Sheds, which are popping up all over the country.
Local woodworker Bob Finch is heading a steering committee made up of local men, assisted by Jenny Hoskins from Eastern Access Community Health. The concept is simple – a community place for men to meet and share skills and build good networks and friendships.
“The aim is to set up a multi-purpose area where men, particularly those who have just retired, lost a partner, have become unemployed, are isolated or have become disadvantaged by illness, can gather regularly for ‘secret men’s business’,” Ms Hoskins said.
She said a community shed ideally provides a broad range of options for men to use their skills, learn new ones or just not really do anything other than be in a safe, friendly environment in which to share a yarn.
Ben’s Shed itself, located in the main street of Yarra Junction, is ideal. It is named after the last owner who spent his last few years creating a space for his friends to meet while tinkering with things.
An official launch is planned for November but the shed is already a hive of activity as the men work on laying out the shed to incorporate not only woodwork but other activities such as art, model trains, computers and anything else of interest.
One project in the pipeline is to link up with the Upper Yarra Museum to restore items of interest to the men attending the shed.
Presenting a cheque for $5000 for tools and safety equipment last week, Community Bank chairman Geoff Vickers said Ben’s Shed was another great community initiative.
Ben’s Shed is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11am. For more information phone Ms Hoskins on 5967 2648, Bob Finch on 5967 1704 or Peter Willis on 5966 7374.