THE construction of a new Men’s Shed in a Riverland town is expected to support male residents and strengthen bonds within the community.
Berri Church of Christ volunteers, along with Berri Barmera Council mayor Peter Hunt and Member for Barker Tony Pasin, gathered earlier this month to celebrate construction starting on the Berri Men’s Shed.
Berri Church of Christ leadership team deacon Nancy Murdock said organisers had been eager to see works begin after an extensive planning process.
“We’re absolutely excited for the Berri community and that we’ve got everything ready to go,” Mrs Murdock said.
“We had to get finance to start with, which we have, then we put the plans in.
“We had (someone) who wasn’t happy with it so we had to go to people with that, then we had to bring it to council.
“So it’s been a long drawn out process, but we finally got there.”
Mrs Murdock said numerous locals travelling to surrounding towns illustrated the need to have a Men’s Shed in Berri.
“As they get older a lot of men from Berri are going up to the Renmark Men’s Shed because we haven’t got one here,” she said.
“It gives them a chance to be in a group together, to chat and to get out of the house. I just think it’s great for the men.
“It’s something I think Berri has needed for a long time.”
A Federal Government grant of $20,000 – obtained through the Stronger Communities Program – helped fund the project.
Mr Hunt said the shed’s environment would provide social and mental benefits for the surrounding community.
“What is going to happen there is fantastic for the Berri community, and for men especially,” he said.
“Men don’t normally like going out and joining in with other people, so this really is a place where they can join with other people and do good things without having any pressure on them.
“People can come when they like… the camaraderie that it makes is a great thing to witness.
“They can go there and they don’t have to work on anything even. They can go and just sit, have a chat and a cup of coffee.”
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said gathering at Men’s Sheds had become a highlight for residents in “so many communities across Barker”.
“Men’s Sheds are a great Australian success story that has seen a staple of the Australian backyard evolve into a vital part of communities all around Australia,” Mr Pasin said.
“They provide a place for people to build and create, while for others it’s a reason to get up every day.
“I am proud that we are able to provide this support to the Berri Church of Christ to establish a new Men’s Shed. It’s helping build a stronger community in Berri.”
Mrs Murdock said it was hoped the shed would be ready for use by early next year.
“The shed will be constructed by the end of August,” she said.
“We’ve picked out all the stuff to build and all that is ready to go, so it’s up and going now.”