Founder of the South Canberra Veterans Shed, Neil Sperring, says a permanent home would be a “win-win for everybody”. Photo: Supplied.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to suicide.
A southside organisation dedicated to helping those who help us has launched a petition as it fights a new battle: one for a permanent home.
South Canberra Veterans Shed (SCVS), a not-for-profit organisation, was founded in 2016, giving veterans, emergency responders and families a safe (and shared) space.
Members can learn and share new skills, like working with wood or metalworking, or just come along for a chat when things feel tough.
Royal Australian Air Force veteran and SCVS founder Neil Sperring said the need for the organisation was laid out in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
The final report found that at least three serving or ex-serving ADF members were dying by suicide every fortnight.
“Whether it’s 10, 20, 70 or whatever – one is one too many,” he said.
“The same applies for the police, the fireys, ambos and nurses, as well … [We also can’t] forget the families of those people.
“They may not see the blood and guts, so to speak, but they have the psychological issue of worrying about their loved ones.”
After nearly 10 years of operation, SCVS is searching for a permanent and purpose-built location.
They have been in their current location at the Gowrie Scout Hall on Finlay Place for several months, after being evicted from their earlier location in early 2024.
In total, they have moved locations five times.
Mr Sperring said that while they were grateful to have their current site, it meant they couldn’t expand their programs or customise the site for different things.
“It’s an old facility, and we’re looking for more permanency in a location which we can call our own and which we can then build upon,” he said.
“It’s basically a long, traditional scout hall … when you’re in a rental situation, you cannot do anything to the building without the specific approval of the owners.
“If we had a place where we had flexibility to modify as our needs developed and changed, that just increases the capability of what we can do.”
He also said the rent, at more than $10,000 a year, was a financial burden on SCVS and was affecting what they could offer.
As part of their search for a permanent home, he said they took the advice of MLA for Brindabella Caitlin Tough, who has also sponsored the petition.
They’re calling on the ACT Government for help finding a site.
She said the SCVS provides invaluable support through their programs, but they were losing “momentum and membership” each time they moved.
“Sheds like the SCVS are valuable assets to our community, providing spaces for connection, belonging and routine, where members can talk and share their experiences in an informal and productive setting.
“In a time of loneliness, the SCVS provides a place for social connection and informal mental health support. … [When] I met with them earlier this year, I was struck by so many of their stories and the need for a permanent [base] for the SCVS community.”
Mr Sperring said the not-for-profit organisation was hoping for a peppercorn rent, which would mean they could put more money towards their efforts.
“We’ll pay our way with regard to electricity, gas, water and all that sort of stuff – more than happy to do that … but we certainly can’t afford commercial rents.”
“We would like to be able to spend the $10,000 plus per year [being used as] rental monies for veterans and the first responders and their families.”
The petition is on the ACT Legislative Assembly’s website and is open until 1 March 2026. More information on SCVS is available at Men’s Shed.
If this story has raised any issues, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, the Defence All-hours Support Line on 1800 628 036, Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or Soldier On at 1300 620 380.
In an emergency, call Triple Zero.
