Join
When are you joining?
Benefits of Membership
Financial Membership of the Bentmoor Community Men’s Shed gives you:
- Access to fully equipped workshops for woodwork, metalwork, and craftwork – for your own projects, and for projects for friends and family.
- Access to fellow members from whom you can learn, many of whom have a lifetime of experience in a wide range of trades and other fields.
- A chance to contribute to the local community through Shed projects.
- Guest speakers on topics of interest to members.
- An Arts and Crafts program, with tutors, at minimal charge.
- Health and wellbeing activities and discussions.
- The company of other members for a chat, a cuppa, and a laugh.
- Support from other men who have been through the same thing when you are experiencing health issues.
- The chance to engage with and support men from all walks of life.
- Personalised Bunnings PowerPass card, giving you 5% discount on most of their range.
- Discounts on a range of items, from home appliances to tor vehicles, from various suppliers.
Membership Fees
Annual membership fee: $60.00. Our year runs 1 July – 30 June; for your first year the membership fee is pro-rated depending on when you join:
(More than 50% of the annual membership fee covers our insurance costs.)
FAQs
Thank you for your interest in the Bentmoor Community Men’s Shed. We hope this fact sheet will answer most of your questions, but if you have any other queries please contact the Shed Manager (details at the end), or any Committee member on-site.
Where is the Shed?
Our Shed is located at:
Moorleigh Village Centre
92-94 Bignell Road
Bentleigh East
What is the Shed about?
Our Mission is to provide a forum to advance the health and well-being of our members by providing a safe and happy environment where skilled and unskilled men can, in the company of other men:
- pursue hobbies, pastimes and interests;
- learn new skills, and practice and pass on old skills;
- learn about their own and other men’s health and well-being; and
- by their efforts, contribute to their families, their friends, the Shed and their community.
What days/hours are you open?
|
Day |
Start-Finish |
|
Tuesday |
8.30am – 1pm (Men) 1.30 – 9 pm (Women) |
|
Wednesday |
8.30am – 9pm (Men) |
|
Thursday |
8.30am – 1pm (Men) |
|
Friday |
8.30am – 1pm (Men) |
|
Saturday |
8.30am – 1pm (Men and Women) |
Who can be a member?
Any male aged 18yrs or older can be a member.
Women may join as associate members.
Our members come from all walks of life, and while many are retired some still work part or full time.
We also have members of younger ages who are unable to work for various reasons.
How big is the Shed?
We have over 120 members and are growing. At any time there can be anywhere from 10 to 40-plus members in the Shed.
Are you connected with other sheds?
We are an independent incorporated association, but:
- We are part of a cluster of sheds in the area which share information and help each other.
- We are members of the Victorian Men’s Shed Association.
We are members of the Australian Men’s Shed Association
What do you do there?
We have a Social Room and kitchen, and very well-equipped workshops for woodwork, metalwork, and craftwork. There is also a large outdoor deck area.
What you do here is entirely up to you; we have members who:
- are happy to just sit and talk over tea/coffee & biscuits (provided on a continuous help-yourself basis), or quietly read a newspaper (that we provide);
- paint or work on other art or craft projects;
- work on Shed projects – making anything from bird boxes to street libraries to cubby houses for community organisations – we’ve even made a boat;
- work on their own personal projects for home, family or friends etc; and/or
- wander around chatting and helping.
The only limits are the space that we have available, and your abilities, willingness to have a go, and imagination.
I’m not very good with tools. Can I get help?
Yes. We have experienced tradies, TAFE teachers, gifted amateurs, excellent artists, etc who are keen to help anyone who wants to have a go or to learn. Learning to use basic hand tools, or powerful machinery, or how to weld metal, or apply paint to canvas to capture a scene, and lots more besides … it can all happen.
What other activities are there?
Arts & Crafts Program: We have grant funding to run an arts and crafts program two mornings a week (Tuesdays and Fridays – but restarting in April). Pottery, drawing for beginners, using airbrushes, and other topics.
Guest Speakers: Every two weeks we have presentations at the Shed on various topics of interest.
Who runs the Shed?
The Shed is run on behalf of its members by a Management Committee, of about 10 people. All committee personnel are Shed members and volunteers, and elections are held at the Annual General Meeting.
Do I have to book days and times to come?
No, members just come whenever it suits them on any day, and within the times, we are open. Bookings are not required.
How do you support members?
We do our best to keep in touch with members who are hospitalised, or sick at home, or having issues they may need help with. Part of the ethos of the Shed is that we are here for each other, and the management committee do their best to make this work for all.
How do I join? Can I come on a casual basis?
We are a member-based organisation, so do not offer casual sessions.
To become a member we ask that you make at least one visit to the Shed – there is no need to book, just drop in during open hours. This gives you a chance to check us out and make sure this is what you want to do. You can make up to three visits before making your decision, but after that we would expect you to join and become a member if you want to continue. (And Shed equipment can only be used by members.)
I am in a wheelchair/ use a walker/cane is that a problem? Not a problem – all are welcome. All parts of the Shed are accessible.
What if I need a support worker with me?
Support workers are welcome – we have several members who come with one. There are some special considerations, but we can discuss these with you, or with your support worker, agency or family.
How much does it cost?
Fees are as follows:
Annual membership fee: $60.00. Our year runs 1 July – 30 June; for your first year the membership fee is pro-rated depending on when you join:
(More than 50% of the annual membership fee covers our insurance costs.)
The fee can be paid by cash, cheque or card to the Shed Manager or Duty Manager at the Shed, or by direct deposit into our bank account (please include your name as reference):
Bendigo Bank
BSB: 633 000
Account:1466 36196
Daily Attendance Fee: $2 by cash or card for each day you attend; this can be paid in bulk in advance if you prefer.
Further questions?
Shed President
Ph: 0481 369 191
E: bentmoorms@outlook.com