New Men’s Shed Officially Opened

Picture: Ararat Men's Shed member David Hair, Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Gwenda Allgood and Robin Scott MP, Member for Preston.

Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Gwenda Allgood was joined by Robin Scott, Member for Preston, on behalf of Jenny Mikakos, Minister for Family and Children, for Early Children Education and for Youth Affairs to officially open the new venue.

Lindsay Oates, President of the Victorian Men’s Shed Association and members of the Ararat Men’s Shed were also in attendance.

The project was funded through a joint contribution from Ararat Rural City Council ($94,000) and the state government ($60,000).

Cr Allgood said the project had been a long process, however the final outcome was a positive one for the local group, who had previously been located at the old clubrooms at Richardson Oval until it no longer suited their needs.

“It is very exciting to be here today standing in this impressive new space,” she said.

“Ararat Rural City Council started working with the Men’s Shed group on this project back in 2012 with then-President Reg Holmes-Brown, who had a vision for a new shed.

“In 2014 secretary Ray Marsh continued working with Council to find a way to make the new shed happen for Ararat and in 2015 funding was generously provided by the State Government to add to the money Council had budgeted for.”

Contactor Onley’s Holdings Pty Ltd from Donald was the successful tender applicant for the project.

This facility will allow the Ararat and District Men’s Shed to continue in its valuable role delivering skills, training and mentoring to younger people through various programs, as well as the many other community partnerships that the group undertakes.