The major objectives are; to advance the health and wellbeing of the members, encouraging social inclusion and Community participation, Wanneroo Community Men’s Shed (Inc) commenced in September 2009 with a starting committee of just 4 people. This august group included the IT manager from the City of Wanneroo. The City of Wanneroo were the first and major donating body to sponsor the operation an
d in so doing provided redundant computers for refurbishment. These computers were designated to be made available, specifically for the needy within the Wanneroo City’s boundaries. Soon thereafter individual donors began trickling in, giving the now growing Men’s Shed the opportunity to assist an even more broad base of people in need. Wanneroo City provided a facility on the Wanneroo Showgrounds for the group to use as working and storage base, but a major set back occurred when fire destroyed the facility and most of the computer stock was lost. Fortunately WCMS was then granted use of a room at Hainsworth Community Centre, out of which to work. Several members generously offered space in their garages and shared the storage of the accumulating computer stock. Whilst working in the cramped conditions of Hainsworth Centre, the membership rapidly grew and the reputation of the Men’s Shed drew ever growing orders for computers. In 2011 the wonderful news was received that Daisy House in Girrawheen, which had previously been occupied by Anglicare, was to become available. The move into Daisy house itself engendered a lift in interest and both membership and donations rocketed. Donations were soon arriving from local schools, Bankwest Bank, the Police Department, Protector Fire Services P/L, Anglicare and many others. Private donations were regularly received, sometimes in multiples of units. Whilst every effort was made to refurbish every donated computer, reality proved the there was a reasonable percentage that failed to meet the standards to be met for the Microsoft Refurbishment accreditation. The failed units were at this stage being disposed of via the council Waste Facility. Concern was voiced by the membership that this was not the best outcome for the environment and that WCMS could further develop it’s social responsibility by engaging in a recycling regime. Recycling the unwanted and unsuitable computers required a separate team of operatives and a reorganisation of the working spaces. This dedicated section took to themselves the identity of “Triage”, where the decision was taken on each computer if it was to be brought to full health and refurbished, or if it was to be deconstructed and its parts recycled. As the style of computer being donated was aging in converse relation to the needs for the outgoing units, there were some components that had to be purchased in order to meet requirements. By seeking the Recycling Specialists for selected materials, an opportunity was taken to generate a small income to allow the purchase of additional ram and the modern types of Mouse needed. With the ever growing support of the general community and our continuing sponsors, the recycling side of the Men’s Shed operation has grown significantly and to date over 2,000 computers have been prevented from entering the landfill. The number of volunteers actively working in deconstruction and recycling has risen from just 2 in the early days and some days swells to 12. Continuing efforts are being made to further improve the environmental strategies of the recycling arm, and cooperative relationships are being sought with even more specialist recyclers, separating materials in yet more individual categories. Recent developments now even allow for the recycling of Mobile Phones and Lead Acid Batteries. There are well over 5,000 happy recipients of refurbished computers that the Wanneroo Community Men’s Shed (Inc.) have provided, and every week the total swells further. There are significant rewards for the volunteers in the partnership and camaraderie within the network of fellow workers. Refurbishing the computers, installing and testing those that are ordered requires another 8 to 10 volunteers, and Administration, Reception, Quality Control and Customer Pick-up, place a further
8 to 10. There is ample proof that every member contributes significantly to the overall success of the operation, and testimonials from satisfied customers are regularly received. Each volunteer member leaves after enjoying several hours of productive enterprise, happy in the knowledge that their efforts are allowing someone less fortunate deal, in the ever electronic world via their own home computer.
