It is well known that Australian men enjoy spending time in their sheds and a variety of organisations springing up around Australia are taking this into account.

The Wheatbelt already has a number of men’s sheds, including the Mukinbudin Men’s Shed, where men get together to tinker with machinery and enjoy a social get-together.

The Merredin Men’s Club was conceived a few months ago by Ron Jahn and Trevor Elliot at the Merredin Senior’s Centre.

“The idea for the shed came about because women tend to network between one another, but blokes don’t – that’s just our way,” said Mr Elliot.

“For blokes who are past the footy age and maybe aren’t into sport any more, this shed gives them somewhere where they can come down and have a bit of a chat – a blokey place.

“The club caters for people of a senior age, who are perhaps on their own and otherwise wouldn’t be getting out and mixing.”

The Merredin Men’s Shed is modelled on the Corrigin Men’s Shed, with a focus on sports and games rather than mechanical activities, but they hope to expand the activities available.

The men meet every second Wednesday from 9am-12pm at a small garage behind the Seniors’ Centre, where they have a pool table, chairs, table and a dartboard.

They recently obtained a Federal Volunteer Grant of $5000 to purchase additional furniture and equipment including a television, air conditioning and a Nintendo Wii, which they intend to use for Wii Sports activities.

However, the men have already received so much interest in their club that they are looking to expand their venue.

“We have about 20 men so far, but when you put 10 or 15 blokes in the shed we’re shoulder to shoulder,” Mr Elliot said.

“We’ll also need more room to fit our new equipment in so we have started looking at building or moving to a bigger shed.”

Attending the gatherings at the shed is free and open to anyone.