Cervantes Men’s Shed hopeful for grant to expand new space to continue supporting local community

The Cervantes Men’s Shed are in the process of applying for a Lotterywest grant to help build a new space so they can expand their membership base and continue to aid the community.

The current space was leased by the men’s shed after The Kailis Brothers finished with the waterfront location in 2011, and is contracted for another 18 months before the council plans to develop the site.

Cervantes Men’s Shed president Murray Ford said they had outgrown their current space and were excited to expand with the help of the Dandaragan Shire, which has helped clear and level the new block of land located in the sports precinct.

After a membership drive last year, the organisation went from 40 to 61 members, said Mr Ford, a member of 12 years himself.

“If we receive the grant, we’ll begin construction between October and November — we got four quotes and have decided we’ll be working with Nusteel,” he said.

The new space will feature a shed divided in two, for wood and metal work, a kitchen and toilets.

Mr Ford explained the importance of the facility in the community, saying: “One of the most important things with men’s sheds is what it does for men’s health, we have meetings once a week, have morning tea, which is good for some of the more socially isolated.

“We weave baskets and mats from old cray fishing rope, and sell them direct or at markets, collect containers and trade them in for cash. If there is a widow that needs a hand clearing out a shed or something, we’ll help out — those sorts of things.”

The sheds provides necessary social infrastructure for the regional town. “We try to have a social event every six weeks, we have a get together, there’s music, we put on a roast or a barbecue and the ladies bring some sweets, we have a chat,” Mr Ford said.