{"id":103831,"date":"2025-11-14T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/goldenplains\/?p=103831"},"modified":"2025-11-13T12:57:59","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T01:57:59","slug":"mp-visit-begins-mens-shed-extension-celebrations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/goldenplains\/news\/mp-visit-begins-mens-shed-extension-celebrations\/","title":{"rendered":"MP visit begins men’s shed extension celebrations"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE approaching Christmas season will be extra-festive for members of the Bannockburn and District Men’s Shed as they plan for their long-awaited extension to take shape.<\/p>\n

They received word last month that a grant of more than $45,000 through the State Government’s 2025-26 Men’s Shed Funding Program had been approved, which meant the extension could proceed.<\/p>\n

Buoyed by the news, the shed invited Member for Geelong Christine Couzens to its sausage sizzle on Thursday last week as a gesture of gratitude for the funding, during which the MP was shown around the facility and chatted with members.<\/p>\n

Ms Couzens said it was the first time she had visited the shed.<\/p>\n

“We should be really proud of the work they’re doing here,” she said.<\/p>\n

“That social engagement is always important, but also what they’re doing for the community and the items they’re making like the Christmas trees and the planter boxes.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens and Bannockburn and District Men\u2019s Shed president Syd McConachy celebrate the State Government grant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

“So it all contributes to the community.”<\/p>\n

Ms Couzens said a stronger shed in Bannockburn would mean a stronger community.<\/p>\n

“Our investment makes sure members can keep learning, sharing and supporting one another for years to come,” she said.<\/p>\n

“With the growth of Bannockburn and surrounds this is an investment that is much needed to support the growing community.”<\/p>\n

Shed president Syd McConachy said the Golden Plains Shire would act as project manager for the extension, which is an addition to the existing building’s southern end.<\/p>\n

It will be 10 metres long and 12 metres wide and will be blended with the existing building’s appearance.<\/p>\n

Mr McConachy said once the grant of $45,466 lands in the organisation’s bank account, the next step will be the appointment of a builder.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Bannockburn and District Men’s Shed members show Member for Geelong Christine Couzens some planter boxes under construction during the visit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

He said the builder will handle planning permit paperwork, which he described as just a formality.<\/p>\n

“It will free up more space for the woodworking area, which has become too clogged,” Mr McConachy said of the extension.<\/p>\n

“It will ease congestion in that room.”<\/p>\n

The addition will possibly host metalworking activities and will provide extra storage space.<\/p>\n

Mr McConachy said he hoped to have the extension built and ready for use by this time next year, if not sooner.<\/p>\n

The Men’s Shed Funding Program has delivered more than 500 grants across Victoria in a partnership with the Victorian Men’s Shed Association.<\/p>\n

The round in which the Bannockburn shed was successful distributed $860,000 to 31 sheds for use in building new spaces, upgrading equipment and buying new equipment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE approaching Christmas season will be extra-festive for members of the Bannockburn and District Men’s Shed as they plan for their long-awaited extension to take shape. They received word last month that a grant of more than $45,000 through the State Government’s 2025-26 Men’s Shed Funding Program had been approved, which meant the extension could […]<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":225,"featured_media":103835,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-103831","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMP visit begins men's shed extension celebrations - Golden Plains Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bannockburn Men\u2019s Shed celebrates a $45,000 grant for its new extension, boosting space, skills, and community connection.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/goldenplains\/news\/mp-visit-begins-mens-shed-extension-celebrations\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"MP visit begins men's shed extension celebrations - 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