By Michael Doran
Badger Creek Men’s Shed President, Mario Herodotus, launched the club’s new mezzanine floor by declaring it was opening “in the fourth year of the clubs three year plan.”
Since moving to the current site in 2015, the upstairs area has been dormant but after a lot of hard work, sausage sizzles, federal grants and donations from the RACV, Lions and Rotary Clubs the new multi-purpose room is open for business.
“We have had a plan to do a mezzanine for three years or so because we wanted to add some technology type resources for the local community.
“We have already started with a photography course and also tech for seniors, where we are building a computer from scratch and then moving to operating it.”
“I want to let the community know that we are going beyond the traditional men’s shed activities and we. are opening the new area as way of growing our reach.”
Casey MP Tony Smith, opened the mezzanine floor and said it was exciting to come to the shed because there was always something new happening there.
“I am here today to congratulate all the club members on this effort and to say thank you for all that you do for the local community. This is another milestone in your great short history and I am sure this new space will be used for many years to come.”
The news that women had joined the club was a pleasant surprise for Eildon MP Cindy McLeish. “In the early days of the Men’s Shed I had to bring a cake just to be able to get in,” she said.
“It has been so good to watch the progress you have made and I congratulate you on that and on your new space here.”
The project cost more than $20,000 and includes an electric stair lift to make the mezzanine accessible to all members. The club is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9.30am to 4pm at the rear of Badger Creek CFA station.
