BY DAKOTA TAIT
The Newcastle Men's Shed has found a brand new home in Hamilton after four years of searching for a permanent space.
The formerly unused, 300 square metre space at 99 Beaumont Street is being leased to the Men's Shed by the Hamilton Westpac branch for a peppercorn rent of just one dollar a year.
Hamilton Business Association Chair Janice Musumeci said the negotiations had been "a few months in the making".
"It started with a conversation with Evan, the Westpac branch manager here in Hamilton," Ms Musumeci said. "We asked him what's happening with 99 Beaumont Street - what can we do to make it vibrant again?"
"We found that the Men's Shed were looking for a new space, so we introduced the two."
Newcastle Men's Shed President Neville Pollock said it was a blessing to finally find a home for the shed.
“We are really excited to have a shop front where we can sell and display a lot of our work as well as the work of other Men’s Shed in the Hunter region," Mr Pollock said. "We also plan to set up a internet workshop for the elders in the community to help them out with things like internet banking."
Mr Pollock said it was important for the organisation to give back to the community which had helped them over the past few years.
"Just generally helping the community out," Mr Pollock said. "Getting men who are in the later years, getting from sitting around watching TV, to come and join the Men's Shed, get active, get involved with the community, and give a bit of spark back to their life."
The Newcastle Men's Shed is expected to open to the public in coming weeks.
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| Men's Shed Secretary Wayne Grant receiving the keys from Hamilton Westpac Branch Manager Evan Reid. |
