A Sunbury men’s shed built a new outdoor shelter using a grant from a local family.
The grant of about $30,000 was offered to the Hume Men’s Shed in Sunbury by the locally-based Millett Family, who own Rosenthal.
This grant was part of the family’s Millett Family Community Grants program unveiled last September, which provided funding for local not-for-profit community, sports and charity groups.
The funding was generated through the Millett family auctioning off a home in Rosenthal, with 100 per cent of profits going towards the grants program.
As the Rosenthal Development was founded by Tom Millett, who had a close connection to the Hume Men’s Shed and died in 2021, the men’s shed named the new shelter ‘Millet’s Rest’ in tribute to him and his family.
Rosenthal general manager Paul Millett said that he was “very happy” to provide the grant and was appreciative of the gesture in naming the shelter after his father.
“It was a nice gesture on their behalf … we were very appreciative, it wasn’t something we asked for,” Mr Millett said.
Hume Men’s Shed Sunbury secretary Albert Achterberg said that it was “fantastic” to receive a grant, which has helped to purchase new equipment, upgrade existing equipment, and erect an outdoor shelter.
“[It] is an outdoor area for the fellas to … sit down there and enjoy a cuppa, and have a chat … so it’s certainly a big improvement for the shed,” Mr Achterberg said
The Millett family visited the new shelter for a cup of tea with members of the men’s shed and to celebrate its completion.
Oscar Parry
