Garden grows at Torquay Men’s Shed

MEMBERS at the Torquay Community Men’s Shed can now exercise their green thumbs with the installation of a vegetable and flower garden.

The garden was built with the help of a $5,274 grant from the federal government’s Stronger Communities Program, and Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson officially opened it by planting a camellia in the garden on Tuesday.

Men’s Shed president John Williams said the garden occupied a space to the rear of the shed buildings previously filled with junk.

“We are always looking at ways to expand our activities and gardening was a natural addition.”

He said the group was hoping to add outdoor tables and chairs in the flower garden so it can be used as a social area during the summer months, and harvesting produce from the vegie garden had begun.

Overall shed attendances were up 38 per cent last year and new members are always welcome.

Since moving into its new shed at Price Street (behind the Torquay Senior Citizens Centre) in 2012, the Men’s Shed has expanded its programs beyond its initial wood workshop.

While many of members come just for the cuppa and chin wag at the “table of knowledge”, the shed also has a Monday afternoon singing group, and a cooking group who that works at the Torquay College kitchens and interact with the students.

The metal workshop is now fully fitted out, there is a movie group once a month and the Men’s Shed is consulting with other Men’s Shed groups across the region about establishing a weekly radio program.

Mr Williams said the Stronger Communities grant, received in September 2016, came about after a discussion with Ms Henderson about the group’s activities, so it was fitting that she opened the garden.

Ms Henderson said the Stronger Communities Program supported a range of community and not-for-profit organisations.

“We provide $150,000 per round – not a huge amount of money, but we see great value in supporting organisations such as Men’s Sheds because it’s all about building stronger communities.”