By Emma Xerri
The Akoonah Park Men’s Shed has become a second home for the many local men who spend their days there, cooking sausages, working with new tools, and engaging in all-important conversation.
In celebration of the end of another successful year, the shed has welcomed the members and their families for a celebratory luncheon, recognising the efforts of their members in 2023, and providing an excuse to get together, enjoy a cool beverage and share in a delicious holiday lunch.
For Akoonah Park Men’s Shed president Lindsay Harding, who has been with the organisation since 2012, events like this were a way to say thank you to all involved for helping the club flourish year round.
“We run this event every year,” he said.
“It’s something to reward the members for what they’ve done during the year, and to repay our sponsors and supporters.”
Mr Harding said the organisation was nearing capacity with 160 members.
“It gets a lot of blokes out of sitting in armchairs and watching TV,” he said.
“It’s great to be raising funds, organising these kinds of functions and maybe making our members a little bit happier than they were.”
Berwick MP Brad Battin, who showed his support for the club at the luncheon, also noted the importance of organisations like this for the men in the local community.
“I’ve been involved with the Men’s Shed since I was elected, and one of the best things about it is it gives men who may be socially isolated their own community,” he said.
“I know of a man in another shed who joined after losing his wife and it saved him.”
Mr Battin said the goal of the organisation was encouraging community and personal connections.
“The guys here sometimes don’t realise it, but what they’re doing is supporting each other,” he said.
“Some of the guys here will never talk, but you put a tool in their hand and suddenly they won’t stop.
“These men have all brought their partners along today, and they can all see how important it is for them, whether it’s just having a beer or a wind down before Christmas, or organising to stay in contact over the Christmas break.”
Mr Battin said events such as the luncheon were “magnificent” for the Berwick community.
“We have people here from the Warren Opportunity Shop and Bunnings, and John McGreal, who is one of the biggest community figures in our area,” he said.
“These are the kinds of people who back up this organisation.”
With continued support from the local community, the club hoped to continue doing what it has so successfully been doing in the new year.
“Next year we just want to keep the thing going,” Mr Harding said.
“We’ll probably get a few more activities up but, unlike other clubs, there’s no rule that members have to do anything.
“You can play around with woodworking or do a bit of metalwork, or maybe get involved with projects outside the shed.
“It’s whatever you want to do.”
