The Warrnambool Men's Shed will finally have the opportunity to expand following an $80,000 state government donation.
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The Hyland Street shed sees members get together three times per week to build things, have a yarn and a coffee, and enjoy each other's company.
The shed pumps new life into its 45 members but there's no longer room for necessary machinery and equipment.
Now, after 11 years of campaigning, the local community group has received an $80,000 state government grant to expand its existing site by about 360 square metres.
Works will commence on the extension once the Warrnambool Special Developmental School has relocated to Wollaston Road.
Shed secretary Phil Pettingil said the funding was a "long time coming".
"We first made an application for funding about 11 years ago and we've been working to free up that land for four or five years," he said.
"We started in a single-car garage and we expanded by building a second garage to store cars for the adult education program SEAL.
"We then did some extensive renovations and we put in more than $40,000 over the years to build a new kitchen, toilets, put in concrete floors, build new walls and buy equipment.
"Over the years we've received a $3000 grant from South West Credit and Bunnings supplied the kitchenette. Everything else was our member's funds and work."
Mr Pettingil said the new funding was made possible with the help of South West Coast MP Roma Britnell and member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney.
"They really got things going by helping us make contact with the education department. We are very grateful for that," he said.
Western Victoria MP Gayle Tierney said the grant would build a new 32 x 12 metre shed with three partitioned areas. One of the areas is a sound proofed designated wellness centre with a kitchen, meeting area, lounge area, office computer desks and toilets.
Mr Pettingil said the wellness centre would provide a warm and comfortable environment for those unable to take part in physical labour.
"Some of our members are unable to work in the shed all the time due to health reasons. The wellness centre will be a friendly place where they can have a cup of coffee and a chat," he said.
Across Victoria, new men's sheds will be constructed in eight communities, while 15 other sheds will be refurbished, thanks to $879,000 in grants from the Victorian Government.
The Heywood Men's Shed will be extended, using a grant of $14,000, while the Timboon Men's Shed will construct a new veranda.
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