The Men’s Shed, situated on Jubilee Street Townsend, has been successful recently in securing a number of State and Federal grants which has enabled us to purchase new machinery and dust extractors. The machinery has meant we can retire some old gear and up skill our guys with safer equipment and improve the removal of dust, a constant problem.

One grant received is from the Department of Regional Youth, supported by Nungera and Maclean High School, is to encourage a number of First Nation boys to gain skills in a community and entrepreneurial program. The Men’s Shed members are enjoying the opportunity to work with the boys teaching them how to use particular machines and create items they can feel proud of. Meeting each Monday afternoon, it is a continuation of a program started last year and will be completed early next year.

Another grant has enabled us to purchase a training Defibrillator and run first aid courses. With our members being over 50 years the added knowledge of first aid will be very important.

The big blue shed is a very busy place with Hebel stone carving enjoyed on a Monday morning, Men’s Shed all day Tuesday and Thursday, leadlight classes on a Wednesday and Women’s Shed on a Friday. With the men and women having variety of skills we are able to do a lot of small projects for the public like furniture repairs etc. The sort of thing the local tradespeople are not interested in.

Some dates to remember:

CRU3A AGM September 15 at Treelands Drive Community Centre.

Shed garage sale Saturday October 29 at 7am

If you are over 50ys and would like to learn more about CRU3A and enjoy interacting with like-minded people, you can contact Allan Woods 0427 746 482 for the Men’s Shed and Doreen Plymin 0423 324 404 for the Women’s Shed.

Allan Woods