The newly formed Castlemaine Women’s Shed celebrated National Women’s Shed Week last Saturday at Castlemaine Community House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The women’s shed originated from a Facebook group established in 2017 by Zoe Astrid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI originally came up with the idea when I noticed so many single women were living in town and didn\u2019t have handy skills that would enable them to do things for themselves,” Zoe said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shed operated as a Facebook platform for followers to communicate and connect until 2021, when Johanna Winchcomb and Alona Kanigher organised (and cancelled) a series of public meetings throughout the era of COVID restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By 2022, a working group had formed and over the past 12 months the group has explored many options for seeking a suitable venue for their activities and a legal structure for the group.
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A survey of the Facebook followers gave the group a clear indication of the skills followers wished to learn including; carpentry, welding, home maintenance, car maintenance, and access to a tool library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Late in 2022, the working group approached Castlemaine Community House and were thrilled when they agreed to support the initiative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Castlemaine Women’s Shed is currently running demonstrations and workshops on the first Sunday of the month with the ultimate aim to have a shed of their very own one day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Shed has set up a Go Fund Me page to raise funds to assist with spray painting and fitting out their generously donated trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The trailer needs a lot of tizzing up, so we are hoping that members of the public with the relevant skills can donate their services to our cause,” Johanna said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n