They might come from all different walks of life, but that doesn’t stop these group of blokes from enjoying a tea and a chat together at the Men’s Shed.
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The group meet three times a week, dabbling in a number of projects, and president of the Forbes Men’s Shed Norm Haley says the atmosphere is all about community spirit.
“It’s about mateship, getting guys to open up about their health problems and supporting one another,” he said.
“It’s social.”
The group also take pride in their handiwork.
One of the Men Shed’s current projects is building display boxes for the Superbee Honeybee Factory.
Last month, the group made 200 boxes from surplus timber.
Members also do ongoing repairs to various pieces of local furniture and recycle unused wood into kindling which they sell for $6 a bag.
But it’s not all hard work.
The group have morning tea before each gathering and on a Wednesday put on an afternoon of cards.
“We’re a pretty sociable group,” Norm said.
“And we have a good cross section of people.”
Indeed, there are ex farmers, doctors, teachers, cooks and builders all thrown in the Men’s Shed mix.
The first Forbes Men’s Shed opened in 2007, and through community donations and their woodwork, the establishment has thrived.
The kitchen has recently been repaired and repainted and the men’s tools have been upgraded.
But like most local community groups, Norm says they are always looking to improve and increase membership.
“We’d like to welcome anybody that would like to come along as a new member,” he said.
“You don’t have to be an aged pensioner, or even a pensioner, you just have to want to be a part of the Men’s Shed community.”
If anyone is interested in joining the shed, or just would like to purchase some quality kindling, they are urged to go to the Men’s Shed at the Forbes Showgrounds during their opening hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 12pm.
