What's Happening in Balcatta, WA…

A pilot programme that established there was good demand for a new Women's Shed for residents across Stirling City, including Balcatta, has led to the service being launched.

Mayor of Stirling City Mark Irwin said demand for the services offered during the pilot programme period was illustrated by booked-out sessions, plus waitlists. He said activities included composting, waterwise garden creation, car maintenance, painting techniques, household maintenance and DIY master plaster and drilling sessions.

Irwin said the workshops had a main focus of expanding knowledge and skills, rather than working on individual projects, adding:

“This demonstrated a clear point of difference compared to Men’s Sheds, which are very much focussed on developing skills and social connections through projects and delivering all activities within a single shed or easy to access space.”

The dedicated new Women's Shed was launched on 8 March as part of International Women's Day celebrations, an event that has been the focus of many flyer printing campaigns across the state over the years.

The opening, according to the Mayor, is the first stage in a plan over the longer term to deliver specialist equipment, better programmes and services. Initially, it will host various workshops to empower local women to learn or boost their skills or hobbies, as well as exploring other interests and improving social connections.

Stirling City’s new Women's Shed facility is located in Scarborough and is being operated by skills facilitators.