Sophie Conlon
The Mount Gambier Men’s Shed will be hosting the first Men’s Shed regional round up seen in the district since the beginning of Covid-19 next month.
Event organiser Paul Edgeworth said he was looking forward to the regular event returning.
“Pre Covid we used to get together every three to four months, where we would visit another shed and hear a speaker,” he said.
“It was a time to catch up with other fellas from other sheds.”
He said as Covid restrictions were ramping up the local shed was supposed to host a gathering, but that fell through.
“We have an area of about 30 sheds in western Victoria and the South East, and that all shut down,” he said.
“About six months ago Heywood Men’s Shed said to me ‘it’s about your turn Mount Gambier, what are you going to do,’.”
After that conversation Mr Edgeworth started planning the anticipated event.
With a main focus of Men’s Sheds being health, he organised doctor Matthias Wichmann to be a guest speaker and present on gut and bowel health.
The second guest speaker Mr Edgeworth organised was hydrogeologist Ian Lewis, who was expected to deliver a fascinating talk on unique geological formations in south west Victoria and the Limestone Coast.
Mr Edgeworth said the event would also feature health and trade displays, as well as offer a chance for visiting shedders to share their shed’s projects.
“There will be a whole lot of displays that show different aspects of what’s happening in Mount Gambier,” he said.
“Just things that fellas could take back to their sheds or do personally is the sort of interest that I am trying to create.”
While the gathering is mainly aimed at Men’s Shed members, Mr Edgeworth said anyone was welcome to come along.
He said it was tremendous to see the regular event return in Mount Gambier/ Berrin.
“It is a time to come together with old friends, make new friends, talk about the things we do,” he said.
“We always have a focus on men’s health, whether it is sitting around talking which a lot of the fellas do, and others like to cluster around a machine and have a chat while they’re making something, so it is a great opportunity to get together.”
On the day attendees will enjoy free homemade scones and a lunch at minimal cost, thanks to event sponsorship from the Australian Men’s Shed Association, there will also be raffle prizes and giveaways.
When the day ends, Mr Edgeworth said they would take those interested in a tour of their shed on Commercial Street West.
The Men’s Shed regional round up will be held May 16 from 9am at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre.
Registrations by April 30 to the Men’s Shed are preferred via mgmensshed@gmail.com or 0478 614 027.
