Hibiscus Mens Shed Trust

To build a mens shed facility in Silverdale to serve the Hibiscus Coast community.

The Hibiscus Mens Shed Trust is developing a community shed on land in Silverdale Memorial Park, we have an agreement to lease in place with Auckland Council, Building and Resource Consents are to hand and now funding can commence.

We currently have a need of funding to facilitate a Feasibility Study to be undertaken by professionals as the internal document previously developed while being adequate for some funders is an impediment to others.

The Trust has sought quotes and expressions of interest from suitably qualified professionals and now need some help to make this happen so as to speed our project into reality.

The Hibiscus Shed will provide a venue, facilities and equipment traditionally found in ‘sheds’ in backyards and on farms the length and breadth of NZ. As we age and downsize our homes or enter ‘retirement villages’ these havens are a diminishing number. The shed provides a Community Facility that can be shared by many and assist many local organisations utilising the skills developed by our members over a lifetime of toil, while encouraging camaraderie amongst its participants either in the well equipped workshops or a bright sunny lunch/recreation room.

The Mens Shed movement in NZ now numbers some 115 units either in operation or under development with HMST being number 97. A figure quoted from Australia that each of their Sheds is “estimated to save the lives of seven to eight members a year through shed activities” - a staggering statistic. If a shed on the coast can make a similar contribution to our Community it is well worth supporting.

The Hibiscus Shed will be of 450m2 will initially have a fully equipped woodworking facility, a similarly equipped light engineering shop and scope for modelmaking and electronics as well as the capability of providing other amenities later.