Monday, 31 March 2025

Lalor Men’s Shed Reopens & Looks to the Future

After a long wait and plenty of challenges, the Lalor Men’s Shed officially reopened on March 26! It’s been a tough journey, with delays pushing back the move-in date and all their gear packed away in shipping containers. But now, they’re back in action and looking ahead to exciting times.=

To celebrate, an Open Day is in the works, where the shed will showcase its fantastic new facilities. In April, Lalor will also host the Outer North East Melbourne Network Meeting, giving local sheds the chance to see what they’ve accomplished firsthand.

A Massive Effort

Getting back into the shed was no small task, and a huge thank-you goes out to the dedicated members who worked tirelessly to move everything in (and out… and back in again!). While things are still being organised, there’s a strong vision for the future.

By the end of the year, the goal is to reach 100 members and operate five days a week, including Saturdays to welcome younger members. The Merriang School Program will resume on Tuesdays, led by Julie and Doug. Plus, there are plans to bring back a weekly lunch, featuring classic pub meals like bangers & mash and pie & peas—just like in the Navy days!

The Green Room & Future Projects

Another exciting development is the Green Room, a garden space planned for the shed’s lean-to area. Anyone interested in helping shape this project is encouraged to get involved. Meanwhile, the woodworking and metalwork groups are kicking back into gear, with Brian & Paul leading the woodshop and Doug & Nat running the metalwork area.

Fundraising & Community Support

Merv put it best—”We’ve been spending money like a man with ten arms!” With relocation costs and fewer fundraising opportunities over the past year, the shed is looking for ways to rebuild its funds.

Sausage sizzles at Bunnings and community BBQs have helped, but there’s a callout for members to take on toy-making projects—toys always sell well and could be a great way to raise much-needed funds.

A Shed Built on Resilience

Despite all the setbacks, the Lalor Men’s Shed has continued supporting the community, making A-frames for Andrew Giles MP and crafting boxes for the local bowling club. Their dedication proves that, even in tough times, the shed remains a pillar of the community.

With a fresh start, new goals, and plenty of plans ahead, there’s no doubt Lalor is back and stronger than ever!