By NICOLE WILLIAMS
AKOONAH Park Men’s Shed is the perfect example of the benefits of men’s sheds.
The Berwick group was established only 12 months ago, and its numbers have swelled from 15 to 75, now averaging four new members a week.
Immediate past president John Byron said the club was ’mainly self-funded’ with assistance of small grants and donations – which only added to the club’s achievement.
“It has been tremendously successful,” Mr Byron said.
“Everything has just been staggering and the bonding that has taken place … the real success of the shed has been trust and co-operation.”
Although many members would credit Mr Byron with the feat of starting the group, he is quick to pass the buck to Akoonah Park Committee of Management.
“We would not be in existence if not for the Akoonah Park Committee of Management who made the shed available,” he said.
But the shed has certainly had new life breathed into it by this group of eager men.
It was handed over with holes in the roof and was previously used for the poultry display at the Berwick Show.
These days, there is a meeting room with kitchen and a full function workshop and extensions are also in the works to accommodate the swelling numbers.
Ironically, having so many men also means the club may have to start limiting membership numbers.The club has a focus on men’s health and welcomes regular presentations on many issues facing men.
Members are involved in carpentry, metal work, computers and mechanical work, and the club has started ’divisions’ for the varying interests.
There is even talk of cooking classes for men on their own to learn to cook and a hobby room for those with an interest in model planes, trains and boats.
Member Gerald Dixon is the brainpower behind the plan to introduce a model railway system, in the soon-to-be-built hobby room.
“With the extension, I saw the possibility to use it as a hobby room,” he said.
Mr Dixon is seeking donations to add to the model railway, and if it is successful, the club will look at opening the room for visitors to enjoy the construction.
Anyone interested in making a donation of model railway parts can contact Mr Dixon on 0409 969 314.
The Akoonah Park Men’s Shed meets on Thursdays from 10am at Akoonah Park (entry from Gate 4). For more information or to join, contact president Brian Hetherton on 0417 450 205 or brianh1@iinet.net.au
