THE Gidgegannup Men’s Shed (GMS) officially opened on February 15, five years and 14 days after a fire devastated Gidgegannup and surrounds.

More than 80 people attended the morning celebration including members, councillors from the City of Swan and Swan Hills MLA Michelle Maynard.

Chairman Andrew Ryan Brine said the opening was the result of years of determination.

“The GMS new shed project team, our committee and members have worked hard over the past five years to bring us to this very special event and the official opening of this amazing community facility,” Mr Brine said.

“It’s hard to believe that it was five years and 14 days that Gidge and surrounds was decimated by fire.”

Mr Brine said rebuilding after the bushfires had been very hard but a single act of kindness became the turning point for him.

“It’s very hard to come back from something so final as this but for me there was one event that helped me turn this despair and trauma around and allow me to start the process to rebuild,” he said.

Mr Brine said weeks after the fire, he returned to his burnt property for the first time.

“I was walking around the fire break inspecting my property when an old ute pulled up on the side of the road and a young guy got out and approached the burnt down fence,” he said.

“He said g’day and told me he had just driven up from down south and had bought his tools and chainsaw to see if he could help anyone and asked if there was anything that I needed help with.

“I thought for a moment and said that a couple of large trees had fallen over the driveway.

“He said he had to get some fuel and got back in his ute and drove off.

“A week later when I returned to the property, I found that the driveway had been cleared, and all the timber was cut and stacked along it.

“I never saw or heard from the young man again,” he said.

“This one random selfless act and this capacity of people to have compassion for others was the inspiration, the turning point for me to start the process to rebuild.

“The GMS was founded on this compassion, this ability to help others in need and is I believe one of the main reasons that we are here today in this amazing facility.”

The new site includes a 100sqm trailer shed housing a mobile milling operation and fencing trailer, and a main shed of just under 500sqm – about seven times larger than the previous Ian Stannard Pavilion space at the showgrounds.

The facility features meeting areas, a kitchenette, office space and workshop zones, as well as rainwater tanks capable of storing 150,000L for operational use and emergency access.

Lotterieswest contributed $578,000 to the build as reported in New workshop for Gidge Men’s Shed.

The shed additionally raised about $80,000 through fundraising and support from Bendigo Bank, Commonwealth Bank, Rotary and other groups.

Members coordinated contractors and fit-out works themselves, drawing on expertise within their ranks, including project managers, an architect, accountants and experienced builders.

“We are however more than just a men’s shed,” Mr Brine said.

“We have matured into a shed for both men and women and evolved into a community hub.

“We are not just the usual woodwork and metal work but have extended our operations to include a book club, art group, music group, milling team, mosaics and community interaction through our guest speaker program.”