The Rotary Club of Melville with the leadership of Robert Willis
have been working hard to establish a new Men's Shed in Melville.
To see the work that has gone in to this project please read further.
The first record of asking the City of Melville for a Men’s Shed site was in 2009. Because the council could not find a site the
Bicton Men’s Shed Inc was formed in June 2010 on the United Church site at 1 Carrington Street, Palmyra
In 2013 the United Church were proposing to develop their site so the City of Melville was again asked if they could provide a site
for a men’s shed.
The Bateman Community Men’s Shed Inc was formed after a very successful interest Meeting attend by 146 persons in June 2017.
Some 68 persons registered to be part of the Bateman Community Men’s Shed.
The site was Bill Ellson Reserve on freehold land owned by the City of Melville
Designs and quotes were obtained with arrangements to obtain funds from Lottery West.
However, in Dec 2017 following consultation with the community the council administration decided not to proceed.
5 residents (30m buffer with trees) from the men shed were opposed. (They have since sold their property)
The Bateman Men’s Shed Steering Committee, in frustration, disbanded.
In 2018 and 2019 there were reports for the first time presented to council. The result was to investigate Bob Gordon Reserve
The Rotary Club of Melville was asked to help in mid-2019 with Robert Willis as the Rotary Rep.
In December 2019 Robert Willis was asked to take over the project as the Men Shed WA representatives (2) were too frustrated with the council administration after10 years.
Close relations were established with the Mayor George Gear by Robert Willis since 2019
In short, following an interest meeting on 30 Nov 2020 a Bull Creek Leeming Community Men’s Shed Inc. Steering Committee was formed
Fortnightly meetings were held by the Steering Committee with a reps. from the City of Melville and Mens Shed WA
Just when we were commencing the final stages for a lease on Bob Gordon Reserve and design and a business plan for funds
the council advised us that the site was now unsuitable as a sewer and stormwater would prevent a building being built over them
The BCLCMS then investigated possible sites in the City of Melville for a Men’s Shed.
Just as we completed our detailed investigation report on possible sites in Mid 2021 the council came up with a proposal to purchase a building.
Following our inspection and support by the Men’s Shed the City of Melville elected members unanimously supported a building being purchased for $1.5 million in Hayden Court, Melville.
While the floor space available to the Mens shed was only 420m2 it was in the perfect location being next to Melville Bunnings and the centre of the City.
The name of the Men’s Shed was then changed to the Melville Community Men’s Shed Inc. with tax deductable by the ATO as a not-for-profit organisation.
While the City gained ownership in Dec 2021 corporate regulations and safety assessment has been required.
This has again been frustrated as the lease and keys were only made available on the 1 July 2022.
Also, the necessary modifications are likely to go for another 3 to 6 months. Power supply is now needing to be upgraded.
We have now found we are restricted to 40 persons during the week due to parking restraints. This should not be a problem during normal operations.
A special thanks to Kim Giddens MP for Bateman and Cr Karen Wheatland who help us through this frustrated period.
Many monthly meetings of the Steering Committee have been held at her electoral office at no cost. The City Melville charged us to use the community rooms.
The support by elected members is also much appreciated.
The Melville Community Men’s Shed is also very appreciative of the financial support of the Rotary Club through the Community Committee.
The Men Shed is open every Friday from 9.00am to 12.00pm . The last Friday of the month there is a sausage sizzle at 11.30am.
Some 40 persons are financial members in 2022/23 with a list of interested persons once the shed is operational of 150 persons registered.
Rotarians and members of the community are welcome to visit.
The next AGM in on Sunday 11 September at 10.30am.
Also, a big thank you to Janice Pounder for designing a MCMS logo which will be present to the Management Committee next week.
