Brimbank Men’s Shed has been saved.
Just a fortnight ago, the popular Sunshine hub, run by Lentara Uniting Care, was staring down the barrel of extinction, with no spare cash for the $50,000 needed to keep its co-ordinator on the books.
But thanks to some very generous people – almost 400 – the shed’s future has been assured for scores of men who rely on it every week as a place of salvation and social outlet.
Operations manager Casey O’Brien said rescue funds had flooded in from across the country and around the globe, meaning the centre can now make a three-year plan.
“Last Sunday (July 24), we had $187, today (last Thursday), we had more than $100,000,” he said.
“It’s just been a mad week, but it now looks really promising. We can look at enhancing services.
“It’s excellent, incredible – this gives us certainty,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The really pleasing thing is that a majority of the money came from individuals.
“One person donated $50,000. The generosity of the general public has been simply incredible. We had money coming from across the country and overseas – from the UK, the US, Switzerland, the Netherlands.”
Mr O’Brien said shed staff had been in talks with Brimbank council and the state government on working better together in the future.
The shed is funded by the health and human services department.
