Max Vincent puts the finishing touches on a park bench that he constructed at the Wangaratta Men's Shed. The shed has been in operation since 2011 and always welcomes new members. Photos: Andy Wilson
The Wangaratta Men’s Shed recently completed a successful furniture refurbishment for a nursing home.
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The shed is proving to be a successful meeting point for locals, with emphasis being on the welfare of retired men and helping community groups.
President Ken Clarke said the group had members from “all walks of life”.
“But men’s health is really what we’re all about,” Mr Clarke said.
The group dedicates its time to building for community groups, having recently made some storage boxes for a school and refurbishing for Illoura residential aged care.
Illoura director of nursing Nathan Willoughby said the group had done a “fantastic” job at the nursing home.
“We have a number of outdoor pieces of furniture which were in need of some TLC for a while and there was an opportunity through one of our member’s partners to help us out,” Mr Willoughby said.
“It was incredible; the turnaround time was so short.
“They were literally waiting at the door with all their tools in hand when they arrived.
“They have even modified some of the furniture to be a little bit higher to make it easier for residents to use; and in addition, they built from scratch a customised bench for our palliative care memorial space.”
Retired farmer Bruce McDonald has been involved with the shed for seven years, having sold his fifth-generation family wheat and sheep farm.
Settling into town life was made all the easier by his involvement with the shed.
“This place helps me forge a bond with local people,” Mr McDonald said.
“We come here for camaraderie, to talk politics, tell lies, make things and even swear a little.
“And I am the only one who can do timber and welding, so they need me.”
Retired farmer and former champion cross-country skier Bruce McDonald takes pride in his handy work and claims to be the only member of the Wangaratta Men's Shed who can work with wood and metal.
The shed also gives members the opportunity to reflect on their achievements.
Mr McDonald has a lifetime of experience to share, having run several Melbourne marathons and becoming the 1966 Victorian cross-country skiing champion.
He also attended Geelong Grammar’s Timbertop campus a year before King Charles was a student there.
Mr Clarke said although the main activity was construction, the shed was a welcoming community which had regular lunches and games of pool in their lounge room.
“Some blokes come out to talk, some to do the workshop, give their wives some respite and some to stir,” he said.
The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 3pm.
Prospective members can phone the group on 5722 4057.
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