General News
21 October, 2024
Goroke Men's Shed, celebrates nineteen years of mateship
Goroke Men's Shed, no skills required, a place for everyone
Somedays the Goroke Men's Shed is a hive of industry and others it is a time to chat over a coffee, which ever if it is, the members say it's a great benefit to the town and the overall well being of the men in the district.
"There's a place for everyone here nd you don't have to have any skills to join," Treasurer Gerald Murnane said.
"I can't mend or make anything but I keep the biscuit tin and the tea and coffee jars full and keep the memberships in order but I come because it's a great place to catch up and enjoy each others company."
Housed in what was the original town post office, members meet twice a week and are often commissioned to carry out small jobs for the members of the community.
The building is owned by the West Wimmera Shire Council. The Men's Shed pay for the electricity and running costs including insurance but have use of the building rent free.
Their main fundraiser to pay the club's running cost are the bundles of kindling they provide to several retail outlets for a wholesale price and that keeps the club in the black.
They collect unwanted timber and cut and stack into bundles at the Men's Shed.
Secretary Don McEachran said the club also offers video conference capabilities so that any one who needs to have an appointment in Melbourne can use the facilities instead of travelling.
"This helps people who would otherwise have to travel to Melbourne if they don't have internet at home."
The Shed has 16 members with about nine who attend regularly.
"We don't gossip. we share news," they laughed.
President Robert Stacey has been in the role since it was established on December 3, 2012.
We're available for minor repairs or maintenance jobs if the community offers them, but our two main activities are cutting kindling wood from scrap timber and selling it in wrapped packages to the public, and we do minor repairs and maintenance, community work."
The feeling of mateship and trust is an important part of their membership with subjects like prostate cancer one thing they are comfortable to discuss amongst them selves.
"This is a topic some men find difficult to discuss but they are comfortable here to chat, and sharing with each other has helped several of our members during difficult times," Mr Carter said.
"People think they must be skilled to join, but that's not so. Any one can join.
We'd like to attract some of the younger guys in the community to join too," he said.
The annual membership is $25.
During Seniors Month the Men's Shed held an Open Day and lunch.
The Goroke Men's Shed is at 14 Main Street and it is open Monday and Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Goroke is located in the Shire of West Wimmera local government area, 370 kilometres north west of the state capital, Melbourne. At the 2016 census, Goroke recorded a population of 299.