Community
13 June, 2024
Men’s Shed brings back a day for the women
THE Terang Men’s Shed has brought back ‘Ladies Day’ to provide an opportunity for women to grab the tools and build creations and friendships alike.
The concept behind hosting the Ladies Day is designed to create a positive learning environment for women to get hands-on experience with wood and metal work, while also building social connections with likeminded people.
The weekly sessions will include everything from practicing the safe operating of machinery and tools to learning basic construction techniques and working on individual projects with the support and knowledge of others around them.
In addition, there will be an ongoing range of member-driven workshops from learning how to change a tap washer, installing a door handle, changing a car tyre, sealing draughty spots around the home and even just exploring individual projects with the support of other members.
Terang Men’s Shed president Mandy Clarke said the program had first begun prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but had been discontinued due to the associated restrictions.
The team felt now was a great time to bring it back to add emphasis to a simple message – at the Terang Men’s Shed, everyone belongs.
“At our normal meetings we tend to have three or four women here every Thursday with the men anyway,” Ms Clarke said.
“Before the pandemic we were open three days each week – a men’s day, women’s day and a joint day – but with COVID-19 restrictions, we made changes and had not yet got things back up and running properly.
“We thought it was time to bring the ladies day back because we’ve had some increased interest.”
Flyers recently went out promoting Ladies Day, which began this Tuesday, and has drawn strong interest among the community.
“Online we’ve had about 14 inquiries and five phone calls,” Ms Clarke said.
“We had a couple of new members come along for our first meeting but unfortunately there were a few who were not able to attend for various reasons.
“So far, our new members have been eager to learn about all the machinery we have available at the Men’s Shed.
“I think people like the idea of looking at what they can do with the extensive machines from saws to lathes.”
The Terang Men’s Shed is a fully self-funded operation which gives back through a large number of projects undertaken to benefit the wider community.
“We do a lot of work such as refurbishing blocks and shelves for Terang Kinder,” Ms Clarke said.
“We’ve just done a couple of big two-metre outdoor seats with storage space under the seating which are for the deck at Aberlea in Mortlake.
“Whatever comes along our way, someone is willing to do it.”
Ladies Day will be held each Tuesday at the Terang Men’s Shed, located at 49C Dow Street, neighbouring the Container Deposit Scheme Reverse Vending Machines, from 9am through to 2pm.
Each session costs $5 to cover morning tea expenses, and the annual Men’s Shed membership costs $30 to cover insurance costs.
Anyone interested in joining is invited to attend on the day or contact Mandy Clarke on 0407 820 370.
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