Men’s shed a well-oiled machine

THE purpose-built Bannockburn & District Men’s Shed continues to grow in membership numbers and equipment with the support of the community.

Last month, the shed acquired a Sherwood router table, funded by an almost $3000 donation from the local Bendigo Bank’s Bannockburn & District Grants committee.

Secretary, Geoff Wild, said many of the members are enjoying using the new piece of equipment which is aiding woodworking.

“It’s extremely good,” he said. “The woodwork they can do now with that router table is very professional.

“Things like pen boxes, jewellery boxes, and picture frames are being made on the router table.

“The shed members are most grateful for the support shown and encourage each other to support our local Bendigo Bank in Bannockburn.”

Mr Wild said Stockdale & Leggo Bannockburn are also consistent long-term supporters of the shed.

“Alongside the grant committee, they’ve been the main donors to all our machinery, and we’ve got a lot of machinery now,” he said.

“Previous grants have provided the shed with a metal band saw, pedestal drill, a thicknesser, and a belt and disc sander.”

Fourteen new members have joined the shed since the start of the pandemic, and Mr Wild said the quality of equipment was attractive to them.

“Blokes come through, they see what machinery we’ve got, and they decide to join,” he said. “But a lot join just to sit down, have a yarn, and talk about men’s stuff that they can’t normally talk about.

“The shed currently has 44 members from Bannockburn, Teesdale, Lethbridge, Anakie, Sheoaks, Geelong, Batesford, and Inverleigh.”

Potential members can drop into the shed on a Tuesday or Thursday between 10am and 3pm for a cuppa, chat, and tour. Monthly social lunches or dinners are also held with members’ partners.