Thanks to the Mornington Peninsula Shire and a generous donation by Grant Booker, Lifestyle Communities in Bittern has seized an opportunity to safeguard the social and emotional well-being of Peninsula residents by moving and significantly upgrading the existing Men’s Shed.
The new shed will be more than double the size of the current one, enabling many more men to become members, and will have a separate kitchen and meeting rooms to give members more space and capacity to work and socialise in comfort. One of the members is an ex-Navy chef who wants to put the new kitchen space to great use by teaching single or widowed men how to cook for themselves.
It’s not only men who can benefit from this well-being space. While women do not become members, the Men’s Shed runs weekly classes to teach women woodworking skills.
Colin Prowd, from the Western Port Men’s Shed Association, said: “I am just so taken aback that Lifestyle Bittern is doing this for us, and Grant is donating the land. We will actually own our own premises.”
Lifestyle Communities managing director James Kelly said: “We are really proud to be providing such a great facility to the local community.”
Whether developing new woodwork techniques or collaborating on engineering projects, the Men’s Shed is a proven method of building self-esteem and helping men regain their life’s purpose. Members can work on their own ideas or help out with community projects such as building picnic settings and buddy benches for public playgrounds.
Lifestyle Communities is aiming for construction to be completed by next month. To find out more about the new Men’s Shed, phone Colin on 0437 311 218.
LIFESTYLE COMMUNITIES BITTERN
A: 17 Booker Rise, Bittern
T: 1300 505 560
W: www.lifestylecommunities.com.au
FB: lifestylebittern