About Us

The Merri Community Shed began not with a building or a set of tools, but with a simple idea:

that connection, wellbeing, and purpose grow when people come together to make things.

The Beginning (2021)

In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were looking for new hobbies and meaningful ways to stay connected with their community. In Pascoe Vale, a small group of locals began discussing the idea of joining a local Men’s Shed — a place to work with their hands, share skills, and reconnect socially after long periods of isolation.

When they discovered that there was no Men’s Shed in the immediate area, rather than being discouraged, they decided to create one themselves. Community interest quickly grew, with people offering support, ideas, and donations of tools and machinery. Through commitment and collaboration, the Coburg and Pascoe Vale Men’s Shed was formed.

Laying the Foundations (2022)

Throughout 2022, the focus was on building strong foundations. The year was spent establishing governance, completing registrations, planning how the Shed would operate, and searching for a suitable home. It was a year of preparation that quietly set the stage for future growth.

A Defining Moment: Becoming a Community Shed (2023)

In 2023, the Shed reached a defining milestone.

One of the Committee’s first and most significant decisions was to evolve into a Community Shed, where every regular session would be open to all. From this point on, the Shed welcomed men and women of all ages and experience levels, while retaining the core Men’s Shed ethos of purposeful activity, mutual support, and learning by doing. This decision shaped the culture of the Shed and continues to guide how it operates today.

In May 2023, with the support of Merri-bek City Council, the Shed secured use of the former gardeners’ shed at 19 Harding Street, Coburg (on the site of the former Coburg Moreland Bowls Club). It was a modest space, but it gave the Shed a place to grow.

At the November 2023 AGM, members voted to change the organisation’s name to Merri Community Shed, reflecting both its location and inclusive approach. Later that year, Coburg Common, the local community garden, joined us on the Harding Street site, strengthening the connection between making, growing, and community wellbeing.

Growth, Partnerships, and Capability (2024–2025)

January 2024 marked another major milestone — the Shed began formally accepting members for the first time.

What followed throughout 2024 and 2025 was a period of immense growth. Membership increased rapidly month by month, and in a relatively short time the Merri Community Shed grew to become one of the larger community sheds in Australia. This growth reflects strong community demand for an inclusive, hands-on space focused on making, learning, and connection.

In October 2024, the Northern Woodturners were seeking a new home. After discussion and a brief negotiation, they relocated into the Shed’s workshop at 19 Harding Street. The partnership proved to be a natural fit, bringing a strong culture of teaching, craftsmanship, and skill-sharing.

By October 2025, the Northern Woodturners formally merged into the Merri Community Shed. This merger expanded the range of skills and programs on offer and strengthened the experience of the combined membership.

During this period, the Shed also matured operationally — expanding programs, improving safety systems, establishing sub-committees, and strengthening governance to support long-term sustainability.