It’s just one snapshot of the pressures behind a new statewide push asking Victoria’s political parties to commit $3 million annually, indexed, over four years to secure the future of the state’s men’s shed network.
Incoming Shepparton Men’s Shed president Steve Hickey said the funding gap, that has not improved since 2012, was real and immediate.
“Most sheds aren’t financially viable,” Mr Hickey said.
“The biggest grant you can get is $100,000 so it [the funding] would give more money to the sheds to develop even further.”
Shepparton Men’s Shed isn’t in a position to take any new members, while Shepparton East is struggling to attract any more than the 14 members it already has.
Shepparton East is one of the smaller sheds, and its growth is limited by a combination of funding constraints and location, making it harder to reach and accommodate new members.
Mr Hickey pointed to a common misconception about how the sheds funded themselves.
“People think we sell toys or things like that,” he said.
“We actually undertake a few community projects to raise funds, otherwise our funding comes from our members.”
In addition to that, Shepparton Men’s Shed is currently sitting on private land, formerly owned by Vision Australia, and has been in talks with council for 18 months over securing a future site after being told the land would be redeveloped.
The Victorian Men’s Shed Association says stories like Shepparton’s are why annual funding for the sector needs to rise from $1 million to $3 million.
Since 2012 the funding has not increased, but men’s sheds across Victoria have risen from 50 to more than 300, with these sheds contributing an estimated $5.8 million a year in direct expenditure, with volunteer effort valued at up to $17.3 million annually.
The Victorian Men’s Shed Association’s proposed Sustainability and Growth Program would fund essential operating costs, new sheds and extensions, community projects, and efforts to recruit younger and more diverse members.
The funding would also free sheds like Shepparton from constant fundraising just to stay afloat.
Mr Hickey says increased funding would allow sheds like his to develop further.
For Shepparton, the Victorian Men’s Shed Association’s proposal for a properly indexed, four-year commitment could help resolve their capped members, fundraising strain and uncertain future.
