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FEATURE  Bingara Men’s Shed

            Surroundings Photography
            For over a decade, men of Bingara have been coming together twice a week to foster their sense of
            community in the local Men’s Shed. Through drought, mice-plagues, and then floods, the heavy metal
            doors have continued to open, welcoming regular locals and visitor alike.

            Although the premise of a workshop sets the stage for craftsmanship and design, this is a group where
            companionship trumps ego and having a project on the go is optional.

        Walking into the shed on a frosty morning is akin
        to entering the ultimate workshop, with all manner
        of jobs started, from welding projects, seating and
        benches to planter boxes and bespoke car interiors.
        The space was once home to a wheelwright (charged
        with repairing the wooden wheels of old carts) and
        more recently had a spell housing a panel beater.

        After acquiring the space nearly ten years ago, the
        Men’s Shed came together and quickly became a
        hub of sawdust, expertise and fellowship. Even
        the interruptions that came with lockdown and
        COVID-19 restrictions couldn’t put a dent in the
        value of the Shed and what it has contributed to the
        community and men’s health.
        Greg, Leigh, Laurie and the boys have been busy    Over time the men have made great contributions to
        getting the shed make-over underway, well, between   the town and community groups. Projects such as
        cups of tea and other custom jobs.                 the seating in the town’s Lion’s Heritage Park and
                                                           Memorial Park benefit the growing number of tourists
        “The most important tool in the shed is the kettle,”   coming to Bingara. Nesting boxes and koala watering
        laughs Laurie Riley. “Some of us work, some of us   stations have assisted Landcare. Even a replica fire
        just have a cuppa.”                                truck for the Rural Fire Service was built from the
                                                           ground up and has been used to educate children on
        And John, well, he’s busy out the back most days   visits to local schools and pre-schools.
        and was quite miffed that I had asked him to come
        inside for a group shot.                           One major objective of the organisation is to advance
                                                           the well-being and health of their male members
                                                           and to encourage social inclusion – something the
                                                           Bingara members place at the top of their agenda.

                                                           As a community-based, non-profit, non-commercial
                                                           organisation a shed is accessible to all men with
                                                           a primary objective to provide a safe, friendly and
                                                           healing environment to work on meaningful projects
                                                           at their own pace in their own time in the company of
                                                           other men.
                                                           Over the years, the Men’s Shed has received a couple
                                                           of grants to help things along, and they are auspiced
                                                           by Gwydir Shire Council, but for the most part the
                                                           group is self-funded and has grown organically over
                                                           the time with donations of equipment and materials.
                                                           Having been involved since the start, Greg Nichols
                                                           says they are always looking for new members and
                                                           encourages anyone who might be interested to call in
                                                           and see what they are all about. Open on Monday or
                                                           Thursday morning, Greg tells me that the best time
                                                           to call in is about 10 o’clock.
     KICKIN UP DUST                                        “It’s when we have smoko,” he says with a wink.


                                                                                                 Kim Miller
                                                                                        Bingara Men’s Shed
                                                                              @surroundingsphotography_au
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