Down in Rivett, at the edge of an oval, there sits a little brick structure with a sign hanging from the wire fence out the front: 'Weston Creek Men's Shed'.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It mightn't look much to the average Canberran, but it's a huge step up for the 30-odd men who gather here every week - looking to have a chat, a coffee, and help out the local community.
"Where we were before was just a tin shed. There was no power, there was no water. It did serve a purpose for us to get started but this one is much better," said long-time member Allan Booth.
"We've got a kitchen and the option to expand, which is great for us ... we've done some [carpentry] work for Mount Stromlo High School, disability services, and Noah's Ark Pre-School around the corner.
"They're just little things, but it keeps us busy."
The Weston Creek Men's Shed has been relocated to Bangalay Crescent in Rivett as part of an $80,000 ACT government initiative, which will also see a new site built in Hughes.
Prior to the move, the men of Weston Creek were located out at Kambah in a tin shed on the grounds of the Eternity Church.
The conditions were basic - they were surrounded by scrub, without power or plumbing, but shed president Graham Lacey said they were grateful for the stepping stone it provided them.
And, despite three moves since their establishment five years ago, many of the men have stuck by the group's motto - "shoulder to shoulder" - staying on in the different locations.
"Men's Sheds are traditionally seen as [being a place where] you must make stuff. That's true to an extent, but it's just a vehicle for camaraderie. It's about the shared interests of men," Mr Lacey said.
"They're about providing an outlet for men who might otherwise be a socially isolated. It gives them an opportunity to get together ... [and] it's been shown to improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing."
Mr Lacey said the Weston Creek Men's Shed would hold a "tentative" open day on February 28, following the closure over the holiday period and the re-opening last week on January 8.
Committee member Graeme Ireland promised a "damn good" barbecue, and Mr Lacey said they anticipated local interest to increase over the coming months.
"Certainly the relocation has been very well received by the membership," Mr Lacey said.
"The expectation is that now we are more centrally located, and we've got a better and larger facility, we will be able to provide more activities and have more diverse people."
Weston Creek has the oldest population in Canberra, with a median age of 41. Woden Valley and the Inner South are the second oldest, with a median age of 39.
Minister for Community Services and Facilities Chris Steel said the new Weston Creek site would offer the Men's Shed a "permanent home to grow".
“Men’s Sheds provide a fantastic opportunity for older men to participate and socialise with other men, while giving back to the community,” Mr Steel said.
A spokeswoman for Minister Steel's office said construction would begin on the new Hughes Men's Shed facility, which would be located on the corner of Groom and Whittle Streets, in mid-2019.
