By Parker McKenzie
With the money raised for a permanent home, Upwey Men’s Shed continues to look for suitable sites for the construction of a community workshop in the Dandenong Ranges.
The Upwey Men’s Shed (UMS) is a non-for-profit, community based and non-commercial organisation with the aim of facilitating a space for men to work on meaningful projects.
President Gerran Wright said the group has raised the funds required to acquire a site to build their shed, however, they are still searching for a suitable location.
“We’re going into some discussions early this year. Hopefully those discussions will be fruitful,” he said.
“We’ll have some announcements later in the year, so we’re hoping this year we’ll get some good news.”
The organisation has raised funds including a $10,000 donation from local aged care provider Home Instead and $230,000 dollars in grants, donations and fundraising towards the construction project.
Dandenong Ranges Community Bank has pledged $80,000 to aid in the development and construction of the new location of workshop and shed for UMS.
UMS also achieved charity status and received a Deductable Gift Recipient status with the Australian Tax Office in 2021.
Mr Wright said the group has been meeting at community locations like the Upwey Township Hall and a RSL while it searches for a permanent home.
“We’ve had a lot of support from community groups, it’s just working through the different options,” he said.
“We’re casting the net a bit broader and we will hopefully be lucky in that regard and get access to a site.”
In 2021 UMS helped Upwey Primary school build possum boxes and provided essential items and money towards residents impacted by the storms in the Dandenong Ranges.
The organisation plans to run more activities out in the community including fishing, motorcycle rides, walks and camping into 2022 to help grow the organisation.
