Inverell Men’s Shed visit to Narrabri Men’s shed

The Narrabri Men’s Shed group welcomed six Inverell Men’s Shed members for the day on Friday, March 31.

Enjoying morning tea and lunch at the Reid Street premises, the two groups shared stories of activities and accomplishments over the past few years.

It was an especially poignant gathering for president Gordon Cain, as following a visit to Inverell Men’s Shed fourteen years ago, the idea was born to set up one of our own.

The Australian Men’s Shed Association has been functioning for 30 years with the first shed established at Goolwa, South Australia in 1993.

Now with 1200 sheds operational across the country, more than 50,000 Australian men participating, and more than 2500 sheds established in 12 countries, the concept is well and truly cemented into the structure of communities worldwide, offering many different services to grateful community members.

When Narrabri resident Gordon Cain first visited Inverell Men’s Shed in 2009, he was impressed enough to call a public meeting back in Narrabri where a steering committee was formed, and plans began to establish a local group.

By May 2010 the Narrabri Men’s Shed was already up and running. With a shed at the Narrabri showgrounds used for the first couple of years, Mr Cain was determined to seek out a location the club could call its own.

After scouting around the district, Mr Cain set his sights upon the old railway building in Reid Street which used to house freight and parcels that in the past were transported to Narrabri by train.

Mr Cain knew that this building, with its additional outhouses and substantial area of land, would be perfect for their purpose. It had lain disused for 15 years.

Mr Cain’s next step was to approach the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). The government-owned statutory corporation gave its consideration to the proposal and a couple of months later, a deal was struck and to the delight of the group a contract was drawn up.

In late 2012, the Narrabri Men’s Shed moved into the premises with the official opening taking place on August 3, 2013. The building now proudly houses examples of workmanship and repairs, tools and machinery, workshops, storage areas and the all-important kitchen with room for the men to gather and relax.