Moorabool Council asked to help expand Bacchus Marsh men’s shed after membership cap

An unassuming shed in a booming Victorian town has become the unlikely home to an exclusive club as men await the death of members just to get on the tools.

Locals meet at the Bacchus Marsh Men’s Shed to build and repair items for community members and groups. Picture: Supplied

An unassuming shed in a booming Victorian town has become the unlikely home to an exclusive club as men await the death of members just to get on the tools.

The Bacchus Marsh Men’s Shed has supported many locals over the past 15 years, but the club has been forced to turn people away after outgrowing their humble abode.

Based out of the “old stables” behind The Laurels — a community education facility — the group not only helps the town by building and restoring items such as sheds and furniture, but has served as a vital support network for its members, many of whom are retirees or widowers.

The Moorabool Shire Council has passed a motion that will consider the expansion of the Bacchus Marsh Men’s Shed. Picture: Supplied

Despite expanding across the site in 2017, the club’s modest shared spaces are at capacity and the Shed has made the difficult decision to cap its membership at 40.

Prospective members are now placed on a waiting list and can only join when a membership is lapsed.

Long-time member John Spain said the group welcomed blokes of different generations down to have a cuppa or fix things, if they were keen.

Bacchus Marsh Men’s Shed member John Spain said the club had outgrown The Laurels facility. Picture: The Moorabool News

“People want to feel useful and often in retirement you lose that sense of achievement, so this is a space where you can get stuff done and benefit from mateship,” Mr Spain said.

“The saying goes that women talk face-to-face but men talk side to side, we know this demographic is over-represented in suicide but Men’s Shed’s across Australia can combat that.

“The region is growing quickly, we are well over capacity and demand will only increase, so we’ve come to the council to hopefully find a solution.”

Mr Spain said the shed had done its best with the space but it will need to grow. Picture: Supplied

The current population of the shire is 40,000 but that is forecast to hit 66,000 by 2041.

At this week’s meeting, Moorabool councillors agreed to provide a helping hand.

The chief executive will now prepare a report on potential options for new or increased facilities.

Mr Spain said that could see the shed relocate or a second shed established at Darley or Maddingley.