THE Freo Mens Shed says they’ve been told by Telstra it will take at least a year to get a phone connected.

Being incommunicado is a real spanner in the works for the sheddies as they’re in the throes of organising an official launch of their new home next to the Hilton Bowling Club on March 5.

Shed member Alex Marshall says Telstra baulked at having to bring a line under Carrington Street and across the park, as it’ll have to wear the cost.

Mr Marshall says the delay will mean a bank of computers installed for courses that help connect their more technologically-challenged members will lie gathering dust for a year.

• Art Woldan from the Vintage Motorcycle Club of WA and sheddies Stewart Holmes, Allan Costall, Cathbeth Mutema, Peter Adkins and Marty Nattrass get ready for the Freo Mens Shed’s tool auction.

Despite the hitch they’re still gearing up for the launch, where former mayor Peter Tagliaferri will be announced as the shed’s patron. Mr Marshall said when the shed concept was first floated Mr Tagliaferri used his mayoral power to clear any obstacles and was an integral part of its success, though he acknowledged his recent falling out with the council was likely to make it a “topical” appointment.

The launch will also feature a vintage motorbike display, barefoot bowls at the Hilton Bowling Club next door, tours of the facility and a giant tool auction.

Mr Marshall, whose long harboured dreams of being an auctioneer, says people are always trying to donate tools to the shed, but they’ve had to turn down the requests because their toolboxes are stuffed to full already.

But he says they’ll be taking it all now, with everything to be flogged off without a reserve price.

“We’ve got lots of tools and machines; lathes, dust extractors, hand and power tools,” Mr Marshall said.

Anyone who wants to donate can contact him on his personal email alex64@iinet.net.au or drop down to the shed any Monday – Wednesday between 10am and 4pm. The launch is on March 5 starting at 10am.

by STEVE GRANT