Perth Voice Interactive

THE Fremantle Men’s Community Shed celebrated its 20th birthday this month.

They marked the occasion with a special dinner at their HQ on Shepherd St in Beaconsfield. 

The festivities kicked off with sundowner drinks in the Shed’s alfresco, where members have installed an impressive model of the solar system.

The meal was attended by about 60 folk including past and present sheddies, councillors and politicians, and former Freo mayor Peter Tagliaferri, who back in the day helped the Men’s Shed get up and running.

Originally based at the Pigeon Racing Club in White Gum Valley, the Freo Men’s Shed moved to a site beside Hilton Bowling Club in 2016 and now has 260 male and 60 female members.

Their oldest sheddie is 96 and their youngest is 18, and founding president Bill Johnstone is still heavily involved.

Johnstone was so impressed with a Men’s Shed on a visit to New South Wales in the early noughties, he decided to set one up on returning to Freo.

The first of its kind in metro WA, it was initially a place for blokes to socialise and do woodwork and metalwork, but it now offers everything from ceramic and glasswork to guest speakers, art groups, music jams and gardening.

The Shed is also involved in numerous community projects including the removal of graffiti in Fremantle, repairing and making furniture used by the general public, and doing voluntary work for the disadvantaged.

Freo Men’s Shed president Mark Chatfield says they have participated in some memorable projects over the years.

“One time we made 300 crosses for a special ceremony for fallen soldiers on Anzac Day,” he recalls. “That was pretty special and poignant.”

“And then, at the other end of the spectrum, we made tiny model cranes for the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce, who used them as table decorations at their annual dinner.

“We do a wide variety of projects and right now are busy making recycling hubs for councils across Perth. We’ve always got a huge to-do list and are in-demand.”

Although still called the Men’s Shed, women are welcome, and they hold weekly women-only and mixed sessions.

“They’ve really enriched the Shed and brought a whole new dimension to things,” Chatfield says.

So what does the next 20 years hold for the Shed?

“We’re gradually adapting to the digital age with new machines, and someone has kindly donated a laser cutter and a three dimensional routing machine,” Chatfield says.

“So learning to use these will keep us busy.”

They don’t have a 3D printer yet, but that could be on the cards soon. Chatfield says the one thing they are missing is a music specialist to come along and lead a group, so if you’re keen then email admin@freomenshed.org.au.

To find out more see freomenshed.org.au.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK