By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
TUCKED away in front of Yallourn Power Station is a small community going well under the radar.
They definitely should be known, given their mission to forge ahead and create a sanctuary in which all can seek out.
Based at the old SEC Production Centre, the Newborough Yallourn Men’s Shed is a vibrant and compassionate environment of men and women.
Long neglected and abandoned, the heritage listed ‘Whitehouse’ became a target for vandalism before the men’s shed arrived, who are slowly beginning to bring it back to life.
Coinciding with their 18-month project to repurpose and conform this 100-year-old building into a community meeting point and tourist attraction, the men’s shed boasts a wide array of activities cultivated to give all an opportunity to learn, grow and be a part of something truly special.
These include woodworking, metalwork, art classes, gardening, self-defence classes, crocheting, knitting and many other communal projects.
Their change of venue and forward-thinking men’s shed ideals have seen Newborough Yallourn welcome outside organisations to truly become an inclusive group.
Members of the men’s shed supported in Andrew Hislop’s fanaticism and dreams of creating the iconic Doctor Who TARDIS.
From the initial idea making it from a small box, being able to step foot in the time-travelling phone box became a reality for Andrew.
Knowing each other for 30 years, One Choice Support Services Client Support Manager, Kerrie Seychell said this opportunity with the men’s shed had given Andrew a chance to engage and reach outcomes in a supportive environment.
“I happened to stumble across this (men’s shed) and thought it’s so inclusive and (it) has so much equipment, it was just so fantastic and really great supervision for Andrew,” she said.
“You’re supposed to be doing things with them to fulfil their dreams to build their capacity and so Andrew’s built capacity… that he has learnt to sand, to paint, to interact with people around him, to problem-solve and things like that.”
Newborough Yallourn Men’s Shed Secretary, Michael Fozard made note that this is a first for them but will blossom, welcoming more all-abilities people to the site.
“What we’re looking at is trying to increase our capability of handling people like this. The difficulty you’ve got in this situation is you’ve got to convince your community out there that they are part of our community,” he said.
“So our objective… is that we need to be inclusive. We’re not just a men’s shed for men, we have women, we have people with disability, (and) we have people with other issues that are just looking for somewhere to do things.
“So that is why we see this now as a great opportunity to try and develop that.”
Ms Seychell emphasised what the men’s shed members provided Andrew, not only practically, during the project.
“These guys (at the men’s shed) have got a lot to give,” she said.
“I think the skills that come along with this older generation, (they’ve) got so much to give and to teach, that I think to a large degree gets lost.
“Bringing them here, and they may not be as able as what Andrew is, but that doesn’t mean they can’t participate.”
Mr Fozard is also involved in other local NDIS organisations who have visited the men’s shed including Perceus and Morwell’s Kameruka Run.
The men’s shed have worked with corrections as well to bring in past offenders to complete their community service hours, supporting in the clean-up of the facility.
They are also working on bringing another NDIS organisation, SASI, in to do a Lego program early next year.
Previously simply known as the Newborough Men’s Shed, located on Rutherglen Road (in Newborough), Red Krauth has been a part of each iteration for the past nine years as it has developed and flourished.
“The whole point of it was to help people, mainly guys that were having problems,” he said.
Mr Krauth credits previous Newborough Men’s Shed Owner, Tanya Bowles for seeing the men’s shed integrate more women into its fold.
“Since I’ve retired, like everybody, you’re looking for something to do, the problem is this place takes over, I’ve still got those same somethings five, six years ago I haven’t done at home, so the missus is getting annoyed,” he joked.
“So to fix that I brought her here, she’s the artist here and does all the other stuff, now she lives in this place as well (which) got me out of trouble.
“Like a lot of us, I’m getting older, there’s a lot of things I have problems doing now, being a part of a men’s shed that helps, you’ve got that community there, people help you do things.”
Mr Krauth also conducts the Chi (breathing meditation) and self-defence classes, but spoke about how the aspect of the men’s shed, keeping people busy, benefits the mind.
“Mental stability is another one… besides getting depressed things like that, you keep your mind on an even-keel, it’s much better when you’re involved doing these sorts of things because your mind is being active and challenged all the time,” he said.
Other projects and partnerships cultivated at the men’s shed include offerings for young people from the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council to learn mechanical skills, working with motors, body panels and welding.
Another is the establishment of an urban farm and plant life displayed at the entrance to the building (the used back side of it) including a new 30-foot green house.
“An urban farm is to try and show people what you can do on your own property, whether it be a small property or large property, whatever it may be,” Mr Fozard said.
“We are fortunate that within our land… we have one-and-a-half hectares that we can work with. We’re working with another organisation that wants to grow plants (so) that they can beautify the Latrobe Valley.
“What we are going to do is start propagating plants… we’re looking at bees, we’re looking at worms, we’re looking at agriculture, we’re looking at growing different fruit plants, fruit trees, etcetera.”
Mr Fozard said the men’s shed aims to do all this to enrich the area and have it become a true attraction for the community.
“Tourism to me is the industry that we can have an opportunity (with) here,” he said.
“We’re trying to sort of say ‘what’s the future?’, we are now building something for the future, it’s old, it’s part of our past but let’s make sure that we utilise it for the future.”
They are also working on a program that will rehouse plants from past locations to new homes.
The men’s shed is continually looking at a wide variety of activities, projects and actions that will appeal to all those across the area and will continue to grow in stature.
