News

Shepparton Men’s Shed fights to find new home

By Brynne Timewell

Sep 25, 2026

Members of the Shepparton Men’s Shed. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The Shepparton Men’s Shed is calling on the local community for help after finding out it will be forced to relocate from the land it has been sitting on for 20 years.

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The shed has operated on rented land that was formerly the home of Vision Australia until the site was sold a couple of years ago.

Now, the developer of the site has given the men’s shed a tentative deadline of July 31, 2027, to vacate but despite exhaustive efforts to find help, the shed’s committee members say they have nowhere to go.

Incoming president Steve Hickey said the men’s shed had approached Greater Shepparton City Council and a number of people around Shepparton without success.

“Council appears unable to assist us with either land or an existing shed,” Mr Hickey said.

The shed on Channel Rd in Shepparton was built by its own members about 20 years ago in a response to a government initiative aimed at supporting men’s health, particularly of those without anything to do after finishing their working lives.

It has remained self-funded ever since opening, relying on member fees, a small weekly contribution, and paid work carried out for other groups to maintain and buy tools and equipment.

Shepparton Men’s Shed member Steve Harmer. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Incoming vice president David Muir said the space had become an essential part of members’ lives.

“A men’s shed is a place that creates an atmosphere where men can gather comfortably, have a yarn, a cuppa and bond with other men,” Mr Muir said.

“It allows us to be productive, develop and maintain friendships, contribute to community, something without pressure keeps members feeling both valued and productive.”

The men’s shed’s current site has also become too small for its more than 30 members, so a new site is crucial to its growth.

Mr Hickey and Mr Muir said the group had already had to turn away work due to a lack of space to store large projects.

Over the years, the Shepparton Men’s Shed has contributed to a wide range of community projects, alongside furniture and tool repairs for individuals across the region.

Mr Hickey said losing the shed would mean losing far more than a workshop.

“If the shed is forced to close, a valuable place for men to gather to help each other will be lost,” he said.

“There will no longer be a Shepparton Men’s Shed.”

The men’s shed committee is urging anyone in the Shepparton community who may be able to offer land, an existing shed or other assistance to come forward before it is too late.