With just a week under his belt as the new co-ordinator of the Wauchope Men’s Shed, Mr Nash says he has hit the ground running looking for donations, volunteers and, more importantly, participants.

“The men’s shed is open to any bloke of any age,” he said.

“You may be a bloke that has just recently downsized his home and is missing his shed or you may be a bloke that just wants to, what I call, get involved in coffee consumption and joke swapping.

“We are open to everyone, and yes, helping blokes who are having a hard time is part of what we are here for, but it is also for blokes to come and just socialize too.

“We have a fully equipped workshop where skilled and unskilled blokes can share time with each other, swap yarns and work together on community projects.”

For those who have not walked through the Wauchope Men’s Shed, it is just that, a shed based near the after-hours entrance at Timbertown.

Mr Nash’s role as co-ordinator involves sourcing the raw materials to be used in the workshop and to accumulate a list of projects for blokes to work on and complete.

“We are after timber and other raw materials including nuts, bolts, screws, hardware items or woodworking tools, hand or power tools … basically anything that we can work on or with to produce something for the community.

“Some of the projects we are considering include producing wooden toys for Christmas or repairing dumped pushbikes to donate to schools for bike safety awareness programs.

“So we are very strong on recycling items back to the community.

“One excellent example of donations has come from the Freemasons, from Clockwork IT and from Wesley Uniting Employment who have donated computer equipment to the men’s shed. We can use these to run courses on computer use and other similar projects.

“And if any sparkies (electricians) or plumbers out there want to donate some time to the men’s shed to help install more power and water, that would be most welcome too.”

Membership to the Wauchope Men’s Shed is free and it operates from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

There is no charge to come along and participate, just a gold coin donation for tea, coffee and biscuits.

For more information contact Peter Nash on 0448 504 312 or send an email mensshed@iprimus.com.au