Yesterday we handed over the keys to a space that represents far more than a building upgrade. It represents a decision to act when a community needed support.
Located in Ferntree Gully, the CHL Shed Hub began as a basic garden shed. It had no insulation, no running water, no heating or cooling. Residents gathered there as best they could, but the space limited what was possible.
This community includes 69 social housing units made up of families and elderly residents. Many live alone. Recently, they were impacted by the passing of a resident. The loss was deeply felt. Residents shared that a more welcoming and functional space may have helped them connect more often and look out for one another.
CHL had been seeking funding to convert the shed into a communal hub. Without external support, the project could not proceed.
When we learned this, Opendoor stepped in through our Workforce Australia Work for the Dole program. The objective was clear. Create a space where residents can meet, cook, learn and feel less alone.
Over four months, that commitment became reality.
Led by Andrew, a qualified builder and supervisor, participants took responsibility for the transformation. They lined and insulated the shed. They installed a kitchen with cupboards, oven and cooktop. They worked alongside local trades and suppliers who backed the project from the beginning.
We thank Josh from PSI Plumbing, Steve from Bee Electrics, Nick from Breeze Climate Solutions, Michael from Carpet Court, Michael from Harvey Norman Factory Outlet Dandenong, Ainslee from Durra Panel, Coby from Lysaght and Alec from Thermotek for their support.
Behind the scenes, our Opendoor team led by Ashlee and Granville coordinated partners, timelines and logistics to ensure delivery. This kind of project requires persistence and accountability.
Yesterday we celebrated the handover with residents. Homemade food was prepared in the new kitchen and shared around the room.
In attendance were Cr Paige Kennett, Mayor of Knox City Council, Cr Peter Lockwood, Knox City Council, Brad Byrne, DEWR, and Kate Daddo, Community Development Manager, CHL. Their presence reinforced what partnership can achieve when community housing, government and employment services align around a shared goal.
Kate reflected that the upgraded hub now provides residents with a comfortable place for meals, gatherings and support, and that it was made possible through partnership and belief in the residents’ vision.
One local resident described the impact simply. The converted shed is where the noise in her head settles. A space where her thoughts can breathe and her mind can rest. That outcome cannot be measured in square metres.
For our participants, this project delivered more than work hours. It built practical skills, strengthened confidence and demonstrated the value of contributing to something that matters. Watching a community step into a space you helped create changes how you see your own potential.
The Shed Hub is now insulated and ready to host cooking sessions, literacy and numeracy programs with Mountain District Learning Centre, along with the everyday interactions that build connection.
A life lost cannot be undone. This space stands as a commitment to strengthen connection for the people who live there now.
This is what Work for the Dole can look like when it responds to real community need. Work that strengthens community.
