Nannup Men’s Shed builds up its library

The Nannup Men’s Shed has treated itself to some brand new equipment thanks to the latest round of a community grants scheme. The group received more than $2000 from the 2021 Wespine Community Grants Scheme to buy new tools, including a bobbin sander, MIG welder, belt sander, router table and some chisels. Nannup Men’s Shed secretary John Thompson said they were incredibly grateful for the money which had helped them deck out their shed, which they moved into just 18 months ago. “Now that we’ve got this shed obviously we needed machinery and Wespine have been excellent, they’ve helped us immensely,” he said. “Bit by bit we got machinery together.” The group is in the process of building a wooden skiff which will be available for public-use. The group is also looking to expand its weekly meeting hours. Mr Thompson said the shed is such an excellent way for men to connect with their community. “They keep touting men’s mental health all the time, it’s not only mental health, it’s the physical health, it’s the act of belonging to something with like-minded people and they can just sit here and chat all day long if they want to,” he said. “It brings men together, it gives them an outlet, it gives them a place they can come work on projects, interact with other people, stand here by the fire and have a cup of coffee. “It’s really an escape for them to come here.” The Middlesex Social Club also received funding through the grants scheme, which will be used to upgrade its children’s playground, gazebo and tennis shelter.