It will be a big day for Narrabri Men’s Shed on Saturday.
Its new premises, the former Narrabri railway buildings complex, will be officially opened by the Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries.
The Narrabri Men’s Shed has invited all interested people to go along and inspect the refurbished, renovated and renewed railway buildings.
“Wives, children, bring your dad, grandfather, uncle or husband to see what we offer,” said Men’s Shed president John McLean.
“Come along at 11am.”
The address is the former rail sheds complex next door to the Narrabri Railway Station.
Mr Humphries is an enthusiastic advocate and supporter of Men’s Sheds in NSW and initiated moves to have similar premises turned over to Men’s shed groups across NSW.
Other guests at the opening will be the Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, the mayor Cr Conrad Bolton, regional Men’s Shed representative Bill Clifford, Gulgong, and Men’s Shed CEO David Helmers of Newcastle.
“The opening will be a proud day of achievement for the Narrabri Men’s Shed members,” said John McLean.
“We moved from the Narrabri showground about 18 months ago into the complex of buildings formerly operated by the railways’ Way and Works department.
“We have worked in those sheds for some months while we have been upgrading the former goods sheds.
“There was a lot to do,” he added.
“But now the complex is transformed into a very functional series of buildings.”
Visitors to the opening on Saturday will be impressed by the developments.
There has been large scale restoration of the buildings, ushering in a new era for the organisation.
The Narrabri Men’s Shed is an energetic and expanding group.
“We have 70 members and we are growing,” said John.
The Men’s Shed movement has transformed the lives of thousands of its members across NSW and Australia.
“We offer a place for men to get together, talk, have a cup of coffee, and be as active or not as they like,” said Mr McLean.
“The boys who want to work do so, and they work hard.
“Others who may want to sit and chat can do that, everybody is welcome to join in at any level of involvement,” he said.
The Men’s shed generates its own funds though a range of work at the shed, and is now equipped to do even more.
“We will have a display of the kind of work the members have been doing,” added john.
“And we are always looking for new opportunities for work. Our members bring with them a lot of skills in many areas.
“We have been very busy on the sheds’ upgrade for the past few months but will now be able to focus more on the kind of work we do.
“Furniture making, restoration of furniture, metalwork, machining, welding, repairs are just some of the jobs members do.
“And we will have plenty of room for new projects of all kinds,” said John.
“This could be one of the best resourced sheds in country NSW.”
Many visitors are coming to Saturday’s opening.
“We have Men’s Sheds members coming from Bingara, Moree, Coonabarabran, Gunnedah, right across the region.
“We particularly invite the children of older men to bring them to the opening and inspection.
“Some are so set in their ways it is hard to get them to come along.
“But when they do a world of interest opens up for them.
“We urge sons and daughters, grandchildren and nephews to bring along the older men in their family - they will be glad they did.
“There are men from all backgrounds of all ages at the Men’s Shed and they all enjoy themselves.
“People get quite enthusiastic once they are inmvolved.
“Men are always welcome to join us at the shed for morning tea, to come and read a book, sit and talk or play cards,” said John.