A Way to Give Back
Mid last year, Belle Property Central Coast agent, Baraka Leporte, expanded his services into Copacabana and MacMasters Beaches. The Belle Property team are always looking for ways to give back to their local communities, and so, Baraka set out on a letter box drop. His goal? For the proceeds of his next sale to generously fund the building of the Copacabana Men’s Shed. When a local couple caught wind of Baraka’s generosity, they were eager put their home on the market and support the cause.
On Monday 31st January, Baraka presented a cheque to the men’s shed committee, which totalled his entire $26,000 commission share from the recent Copacabana sale. Mike Mitchelmore (Coordinator), Fraser McBride (Secretary), Nic Eames (Grants Officer), and Mike Munro (Safety Officer) from the Copacabana Men’s Shed are extremely pleased with the donation.
“We walked around 30,000 steps to deliver all of those flyers,” jokes Mike, “and it’s definitely paid off.”
Planning for the mens shed has been a great journey for the committee
What is a Men’s Shed?
Men’s sheds are an entirely volunteer-run community initiative aiming to improve men’s wellbeing. This is achieved by providing a safe environment for men to work on projects, often together. Today, a range of factors including unemployment, retirement, bereavement, ill health, handicap, age, minority status or pure shyness can all have an isolating effect, which can lead to a decline in mental health, depression and even suicide.
Artists impression of the new Copacabana Men’s Shed
Through the work of the Men’s Shed, the volunteers aim to provide a space that alleviates the pressures of everyday life. At the same time, they can develop a stronger sense of self-worth and connection to community. Members craft items such as possum boxes and children’s toys, or repair furniture that may have otherwise been thrown away.
The men’s shed movement is a success across the nation as a result of these benefits. It now receives strong financial and moral support from all levels of government, as well as the wider community. The Australian Men’s Shed association now has over 1,200 member sheds all around the country.
The location of the current construction
Looking Ahead
The Copacabana Men’s Shed is currently under construction and is located behind the local rural fire station. It will likely be erected by April this year, with the fit out completed and opening set for July. The men of the committee all agree that the best part of the process so far is how much they have learnt. “There is always more to learn. Between us, there’s a microbiologist, an education academic, an IT consultant – we’ve all managed or directed companies. We know our way around a Gantt chart or Excel spreadsheet, but here, we’re all labourers. We have a new appreciation of just how much is involved.”
To keep up-to-date with the shed’s progress, become a member or donate to this incredible initiative, you can visit their website.
