Torquay Men’s Shed supports local nippers with essential equipment repairs

THE Torquay community Men’s Shed has stepped in to assist the Torquay nippers, following a request for help from the lifesaving club due to malfunctioning and dilapidated equipment.

Torquay Lifesaving Club sponsor and Hayden Real Estate director, Ben Smith, noted the dire state of the belt and reel equipment.

“We have had a number of belt and reels that needed repairing,” Mr Smith said.

“We ended up approaching the Men’s Shed because we know of their capabilities and hoped to utilise those skills.”

Torquay Men’s Shed Secretary Ian Mathieson highlighted the group’s eagerness to support community initiatives.

“They outlined their needs, and we were able to meet those needs. So, we took on the project and completed it last week,” he said.

The refurbishment involved cleaning and recalibrating the junior rescue reels to ensure the rope length and drum size were correct.

Following the repairs, the equipment was immediately put to use at the Warrnambool State Championships, where 84 nippers from Torquay registered among a total of 696 competitors from across the state.

The Torquay teams all reached the finals in the Belt and Reel events, securing 2nd place overall in the championships.

Torquay Lifesaving Club board member Matt Carmichael said he was stoked about how it all came together just in time.

“Our nippers are forming strong social ties with each other and their community which we hope will lead to many more future lifesavers.”

“These community ties have been supported by our major sponsor Hayden Real Estate who have introduced us to the Torquay Men’s shed.”

“This relationship resulted in the mens shed making some much needed repairs to our belt and reels which took us from reels disintegrating in the middle of events last season to making several finals and achieving a bronze medal in the U12 girls final on the weekend.”

Mr Smith praised the Men’s Shed for their work.

“They have done a fantastic job of fixing them, ensuring they are safe and to specification,” he said.

The Men’s Shed is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and is always welcoming new members.

“If anyone in the community has a project that they need help with, then get in touch,” Mr. Mathieson said.

For more information, visit torquaycommunitymensshedinc.com