About
Our Mission
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, 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
Our Values
Diversity and Inclusiveness
We welcome people from all walks of life and encourage their fullest participation.
Respect
We respect our members, the community ownership of the shed, and our grass-roots spirit and ethos.
Friendship
We enjoy conversation, camaraderie, mutual understanding, and trust.
Honesty and integrity
We strive to be transparent and open in all that we do.
A supportive culture
We act collegially and cooperatively and look to bring out the best in each other.
A Short History
2010
After visiting an operating Men’s Shed while on holidays, Bert Dyt became interest in the Men’s Shed movement. Further investigation revealed that it was a rapidly expanding movement in cities and rural communities across Australia, focusing on men’s wellbeing and considered to be an important addition to any community.
2011
During a convivial afternoon with Jeff Needham early in 2011, the idea of a Men’s Shed in Glen Eira was hatched. Initial Contact with Glen Eira City Council lead to a connection with Jackie Gleeson of Bentleigh Bayside Community Health (now Connect Health). This led to development of a steering committee and support from Bentleigh Bayside to proceed with the establishment of a Men’s Shed.
Glen Eira City Council cemented their interest in Men’s sheds with the offer of premises (albeit small), and funding for initial equipment
2012
A well-attended public meeting in early 2012, indicated strong support for a Men’s Shed in the area.
On 12th July, in a small building, the size of a single garage at Packer Park in Carnegie, with a wood fire outside for warmth and toilets across the park. Glen Eira Community Men’s Shed formally opened
Early membership growth was strong, so almost immediately, we were looking for premises big enough to cope with our growing demands.
2013
With support from the Bentleigh Moorabbin Central Rotary Club, in early 2013 the Shed relocated to premises at 185 Wickham Road Moorabbin, with the Leighmoor Parish of the Uniting Church as landlord. This immediately gave us more space, and with the full co-operation of the church our space expended to match membership growth.
With the move, we were no longer with the Glen Eira boundary, but were part of the City of Kingston – so our name was changed to Bentmoor Community Men’s Shed to reflect our
2015
By 2015 it was clear that, at some point in the future, we would outgrow the space available at Wickham Road – so approaches were made to Glen Eira Council for larger premises more suited to our requirements and able to cater for our ongoing expansion. We had initially established ourselves as the first shed in Glen Eira, and we were keen to return there and the council was also keen for our return.
2017-2018
During this period we continued to grow our membership and consolidate our activities in the shed, and discussion commenced with the council for them to provide us with a suitable facility to cater for future needs. Towards the end of 2018, Glen Eira Council approved development of a new Shed facility and meetings between council and shed personal are held to finalize location and then commence design details for a new shed.
Nov 2018
A fire after-hours in the Shed resulted in both workshops being closed for several months while the landlord’s insurer organized building repairs and we purchased new equipment after our insurer’s lengthy assessment and write-off process.
We continued an active and upgraded social program during this period, with strong member attendance.
2019
By May 2019, workshops were mostly fully operational again with generally all new equipment.
Final location of the new facility at Moorleigh Community Village was established and detailed plans for a new purpose-built shed were drawn up.
Dec: VIP sod-turning ceremony to commence construction of the new facility.
2020
March saw the start of the COVID 19 epidemic which caused severe disruption to shed operations, but membership remained strong and shed opened whenever it could under relevant restrictions. Shed building was completed and agreements for our new tenancy had been reached by years end.
2021
On Feb 1st after much planning and preparation, we moved all our furniture, tools, equipment, materials and works-in-progress into the new facility, with considerable assistance from Glen Eira City Council. The formal VIP opening was held under strict COVID protocol on Feb 29th. In late March a public open day was held.
Bentmoor Community Men’s Shed continues to develop in its new purpose-built facility. Although still restricted by COVID-Safe compliance requirements, we have managed to be fully operational when able to open and we have introduced new programs to get as many men engaged as possible.
Meet the Team
Jeff Needham – President
Bert Dyt – Vice President
Keith Teirney – Secretary
Our Supporters
What is a Mens Shed?
The Bentmoor Community Men’s Shed (the Shed) is a place for men to come together to capture and share their skills and experiences. It is a place to build on the health and wellbeing of men, and a place of creativity and teamwork, and for celebrating community spirit.
The Shed is supporting men of all ages and all abilities. The focus of the program is to support men to engage with each other through activities. During these activities they will establish new friends, share experiences, learn new skills, and gain information about health issues. This will in turn aid in closing the gap on the social inequalities that can influence men’s health.