One year on and the Canowindra Men’s Shed is progressing well.

Recently they had their annual general meeting and a new executive was elected.

The current executive comprises president Merv Stenhouse, vice presidents Cec Balcombe and Ned Webb, treasurer Ian Messenger and secretary Ann Stenhouse.

The men in the shed have recently completed building 26 nest boxes of various sizes for the Bangaroo landcare group.

The group took delivery of the boxes last week.

The project was instigated late last year after Margie Crowther, a representative for Landcare, approached the men’s shed to build the boxes and construct signage for the group.

Through a grant from Landcare, the Canowindra Men’s Shed was able to assist with the project.

The men in the shed have also been restoring furniture and constructing blackboards for business houses in town.

These have been constructed from scratch from recycled timber, with the timber having to be planed, routed and painted to obtain a tradesman’s finish.

The shed conducts various activities including a “Claytons” share portfolio that Bill Carter conducts on Thursdays to give the men an insight into the share market.

Over the past 12 months the shed has seen a complete revamp, with the wiring of the hall suitable to conduct a small workshop as well as the clean up in the kitchen to have an area to socialise.

Walls have been removed and relocated to make way for shelving and a storage room, as well as the establishment of an area to socialise or do activities such as playing cards.

Regular barbecues have been conducted at the shed for its members and their partners and friends, which has been very enlightening for the wives and friends as they have found that men can cook, set tables and wash up.

The shed operates as a non-profit community organisation, and running costs are maintained from donations, grants, wood raffles and the selling of items made by the members of the shed.

New members are welcome.

The shed currently operates three days a week – Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9am to 1pm.

The cost is a gold coin donation to cover the cost of tea and coffee.

Contact the shed on 6344-2401 or by calling Merv 6344 2071 or Cec 6344 1983.