Mount Duneed group’s new Men’s Shed to begin construction

PREPARATION for construction work at the Mount Duneed Men’s Shed’s new home on Sovereign Drive has commenced, with the project expected to break ground later this month.

Members are expected to move into the new facility in early February next year and continue to provide contributions to their community.

The Men’s Shed group operating out of Mount Duneed is one on 14 groups within the Greater Geelong region that provides members with a welcoming space to meet others with similar interests and learn new skills.

Mt Duneed Men’s Shed president Merv Poyner said he was excited to see the build start and is expecting to see some growth membership-wise.

“It will be good that we’ll be able to get back to what we love doing, which is making things for the community, such as for schools and other community groups,” said Mr Poyner.

“We’ve really appreciated what we’ve been able to do [at Foundation 61] but this will be the big step for us. Once we get into the new shed, I think we’ll double in size very quickly.

City of Greater Geelong Cr Trent Sullivan said the council understood the Mt Duneed Men’s Shed has been eagerly awaiting the new facility and what will soon become their new home.

“Council was pleased to allocate $595,000 in the current budget to make this new facility become a reality,” he said.

“Men’s sheds do an incredible job at giving back to the community and chances are if you’ve seen a handmade bench seat, fence or bird boxes in a local school or community space it may have been thanks to one of the many groups operating in Greater Geelong.”

Kardinia Ward councillor Ron Nelson was a major supporter of the group’s new site and is excited to see the new facility begin to take shape.

“I look forward to seeing the Mt Duneed Men’s Shed get on the tools in their new home early next year and the wonderful creations and projects they’ll work together on,” Cr Nelson said.

A multipurpose creative space will also open the facility up for broader community use, with the design including scope for the potential inclusion of a community garden in the future.