General News
6 December, 2024
Jolley able to continue his passion for woodwork at Horsham men's shed
Alan Jolley is a regular member of the Horsham men's shed.
Alan Jolley wanted to be involved in woodwork after he finished school.
But after he suffered badly with the dust, he only lasted a few weeks.
Now, Mr Jolley is one of the regulars at the Horsham men's shed on O'Callaghans Parade.
"There's locals, retired farmers and others, we're a pick of everywhere," Mr Jolley said.
"There's about nine or 10 of us, people drift in and out."
After he changed jobs Mr Jolley was a motor mechanic for 20 years.
"Then I went back to uni [in the late 70's] which was a battle at 34, then taught and TAFE and secondary for about 20 years," he said.
"I just wanted to be a hobby woodworker."
Now 81, Mr Jolley spends Tuesday's and Wednesday's at the men's shed continuing the passion he had years ago.
"It's been good here, because it has a fantastic machine shop. All the machines are here and kept in good order. You can design and make anything if you are capable enough," he said.
"It's good to keep mentally fit as well as physically fit, instead of being locked in at home all the time and get you out and about.
"Now and again we have guest speakers come in and talk about different things. There are first aid courses too."
Mr Jolley has also used his skills from the men's shed in his own home.
"I've done a lot of renovations at home the house [I live in] was built in about 1960 and I've updated it briefly different times," he said.
"We enjoy coming here, and we take a bit of muck at each other. In the tea room we often say that we solve the problems of the world.