Notes from the meeting:
- The Sunshine mission is home to Brimbank’s Men’s Shed and workshop. The location also includes a church, a communal garden, a meeting room (available for hire), work offices and a food storage room with food provided by Foodbank, Aus Harvest and occasionally Woolworths.
- The Sunshine Mission is host to several people from Work For The Dole, including the waiter from the cafe.
- Funding of the Men’s Shed comes mainly from the Uniting Church congregation attached to the Sunshine Mission.
- The Sunshine Mission run 3 different activities: Tool Program (about 30 regulars involved), Socialisation (30 people) and Asylum Seeker program (10 people), which provides acclimation assistance to Asylum Seekers.
- People who go to the Men’s Shed are aged from 50 to 70
- The 3 main ways people find out about the Men’s Shed and the other programs are through referrals, word of mouth and website.
- Casey suggested that a three year investment with a corporate partner will sustain the mission’s programs for the next three years
- Casey also suggested that profile building would be beneficial in securing corporate partners and financial support.
- Casey describes the Sunshine Mission as “A goldmine”, believing it can eventually be self sufficient and it’s success can be a “Gateway to different things”
- Funding of the Shed goes towards publicity (i.e. brochures and organised events), employment of Co-ordinator, Anthony Lai and materials
- Casey emphasises Anthony’s importance to the shed, due to his experience, understanding and expertise
- Casey and Anthony previously visited a Men’s Shed in Glen Waverley and points that being an example of a successful Men’s Shed
- Heather, an employee we met indicated the communal justice program could also use a bit of attention.