The wait has been long and the energy exhaustive but Men's Shed president Gary Hayes says 'He is excited'. -
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The group has secured all the funding to make their new home right next door and the Shed to fit on it is also not far away and now a second shed is on the agenda.-
''Its great to announce and we feel excited The Men's Shed has reached the target to buy the land. We were told by Mark Coulton (Federal Mp for Parkes) the army had a shed to give us and now a second one is in the pipeline'' he said.-
''Now Mark's in their batting for us again''-
The Men's Shed group needs another $40,000 to equip and install the first shed and have a series of fundraising events including the Agri Plow clearing sale Saturday and the Sydney Welsh Choir in April.-
Monday at the Men's Shed the boys celebrated six years since the opening and members discussed how it has influenced their lives.-
The oldest member Roy Spicer told other men at a lunch.-
''I reckon through the years a lot of people helped with the fruit and vegetables thats been good. We have lost some members and they were some great old times, but I have really enjoyed myself here'' Mr Spicer said.-
Bob Blatch and Malcolm McLeod both talked of the camaraderie and fellowship. '' Meeting lots of different people and being mates'' the pair outlined.-
Glenn Porter said the Shed has changed his life.-
''I have been here since its inception. I haven't been able to carry on with my trade because I have been incapacitated because of Parkinson's but this has allowed me to do a lot of things and people accept the way I am'' he said '' The bust trips we go on are always interesting. The Zig Zag Railway was really interesting''-
Working for communities and farmers inspire some in the shed. Bill Redfern recalled the experience of going to Coonabarabran to build a 2km long fence for a farmer whose life had been devastated by the Bushfires.-
''We decided to help. It was woeful what we saw but we got a team together and my 2 sons and 3 grandsons came with me and the men and we thoroughly enjoyed especially sitting under the stars and being together.'' he said. '' We really enjoyed doing something for someone who really needed help'' -
''I for one am all for it. I love what we're doing and on top of the world about what we'll do in the future'' Mr Redfern.-
Ken Pocknall said mending and making things together was important. The Mens Shed acknowledged the enduring work of Mr Pocknall who had raised $14,000 for the Shed.-
Neil Blake said the variety of work and the steep learning curve at the Shed were important to him while John Wykes who first hear about the Men's Shed at Rotary mentioned pumpkins.-
Terry Hoffman thanked his fellow members for the ''Tremendous help you have been to me''-
Jim Whillock said he joined nine years ago and was proud to be part of the group while Harold Pope said it was fantastic to be there especially after spending a rich life in Wellington.-
Mick Simmons said the vegetable sessions were very enjoyable and a new member from Coonamble Frank Wooding thanked the men for their friendship and looked forward to being more involved once his health improved.-
Now in its seventh year Gary Hayes acknowledged the men had worked together for community and the future of the Men's Shed was in wonderful hands because of the work they do together. -