Warragamba/Silverdale & Surrounds Forum

Hosted by the Warragamba Silverdale Neighbourhood Centre at the Town Hall Annex. Joining a Men's Shed is an opportunity to be productive, connected with others and contribute to your community. The Warradale Men's Shed contact is Leanne on 4774 1273. The Men's Shed is looking for a permanent venue, if you can help contact Leanne

Following is a media release from Wollondilly Council regarding the Men's Shed Project:

Media Release
Date: 13 July 2009
Contact: Communications Unit on 4677 8244

Wollondilly Men’s Sheds set to roll



With funding from three different grants over the last month, the Wollondilly Men’s Sheds movement is now set to really get active and make their mark across the Shire.

Wollondilly Shire Council was recently presented with a cheque for $22,250 from the IMB Community Foundation to assist it in it’s work with local community members in setting up the Wollondilly Community Men’s Shed (WOLCOMS) organisation. The funding will enable the Oakdale Shed to become established through the purchase of essential equipment, fittings and materials to provide for the safety and enjoyment of it’s members.

The Oakdale Shed members are already meeting on Thursday mornings at the Shed provided through the Oakdale Workers Club, exchanging ideas and skills on woodworking projects and sorting out the array of materials donated by community supporters and members.

Clive Hales, the Shed’s coordinator and WOLCOMS spokesperson said, “It is wonderful that IMB has chosen to support WOLCOMS as Sheds benefit a great number of men who are looking for something to do and enjoy their retirement. It will really give us a kick along and make the Shed an ideal workshop for everyone to enjoy”.

The Tahmoor Uniting Men’s Shed will benefit from a $42,000 grant from the State Government’s Area Assistance Scheme, again provided to Wollondilly Shire Council. The Shed is currently being constructed by an enthusiastic crew of volunteer members who meet every Thursday morning for a chat, coffee and a bit of work.

It is scheduled to be officially opened on the 29 August and will be fitted out to enable a wide range of pursuits to be undertaken. Woodworking, metal work and car restoration are just some of the ideas and interests that could happen at Tahmoor, which is being auspiced by the Tahmoor Uniting Church.

Commonwealth Government’s Volunteer Grant scheme will provide a small grant to WOLCOMS to enable a supply of personal safety equipment and material to be purchased and safety training provided across all the Wollondilly Sheds.

The newest Shed to start up is the Warradale Men’s Shed, which started in June 2009 by the Warragamba Silverdale Neighbourhood Centre and local residents. It plans to meet every second Friday and is looking at a local venue to get things happening.

Men’s Shed happen right a cross Australia and promote men’s health and wellbeing by providing a place to share knowledge, get connected with other people with similar interests and have a good yarn in a safe and enjoyable environment.

WOLCOMS Wollondilly Community Men's Sheds Inc
Warradale Mens Shed - is up and running!

A meeting held on 26th June in the Warragamba Town Hall annex saw 6 local men along with representatives from The Oakdale Mens Shed attend a groundwork gathering for a local Mens Shed.

All agreed that it was an encouraging response and plans have been put in place to find a permanent location with suitable accommodation to fit the requirements realistic to a men’s support group.

An opportunity exists to hold the shed’s activities in the Town Hall Annexe. However, this generous offer gives limitations to the activities and projects requiring tools and any machinery used regularly to be either taken home after each get together or securely locked away safely in the annex cupboards.

We welcome any support and suggestions to establish a suitable permanent venue which will enable us to be a group of mature citizens who can get together on a regular basis to tell jokes, tell lies, talk about our health problems and do something beneficial for the community.

The next get together of the group will be on 24th July 2009 in the Town Hall Annex at 10.00 am.
Please come and join us to start a Mens Shed that we all may get comfort and pleasure from.

For further information contact Leanne on 4774 1273
Terry Atkins
14th July 2009