Shed for skilling up and socialising

Give it a burl: President Ken Maybery working on some tree burls in the shed for a table-top display. Photo: ROY RHODERICK

LEARMONTH locals, and those from surrounding towns, will soon have a new purpose-built community space to use, learn and create in.

Members of Learmonth Skills Shed, currently based in a former primary school shelter shed, have secured $80,000 from the Australian Men’s Shed Association and $50,000 from the City of Ballarat to fund a permanent, accessible shed at the Learmonth Recreation Reserve.

The building will have a 16 by eight-metre shed space where people can work on projects and develop their skills, alongside a kitchen and toilet.

Upcycled: The Learmonth Skills Shed is in an old primary school shelter shed opposite Cafe Sidra. Photos: EDWINA WILLIAMS

President Ken Maybery said the shed’s aim is to be a place for people to go to chat with their neighbours, to learn new skills, and work on projects, much like a men’s shed but for everyone.

“We have three builders that are prepared to help people learn how to use the lathes and do woodwork,” he said.

“What is the whole reason for men’s shed? It’s really for mental health, to socialise, and it doesn’t matter how old or how young you are, we’re a community skills shed. We will have facilities for both ladies and men.

Much of the equipment at the shed was funded by a family who spent their childhood weekends at Lake Learmonth and wanted to give back to the community after the death of their father.

“We’ve had wonderful help from various men’s sheds across Ballarat, and it’s quite heartening to know that the men’s sheds are working together and helping each other.”

The children of Graham Gilbert, a late friend of Mr Maybery, donated $15,000 worth of woodworking equipment and tools to get the shed started, and to continue a practical legacy.

“They loved the area of Learmonth. He had a boat and used to come out every weekend to ski. I’m humbled to think the family would hand on that money to get a skills shed started,” he said.

Members are aiming to be in their new site by the end of the financial year.