Visit date: Tuesday 5th February 2019.
Timaru is a small town which Ann and I were to pass through on our way from Christchurch to Dunedin. So, I looked at the NZ MENZSHED website and arranged my visit.
Timaru Menzshed is based on an industrial estate, and on arrival we were welcomed by John Cook (Secretary), who then introduced us to the other lads there, and the kettle was put on.
The site is large with existing buildings; previous use was as a small vehicle workshop. It has been donated free by the Landlord who is a keen supporter of the Men’s Sheds Movement, so the lads only have to pay for the rates and building insurance charges.
The first Shed meeting was held on the 8th March last year, which raised considerable interest and support locally. A generous founder member offered use of a vacant building and work to refurbish it began immediately, meanwhile the group opened a bank account and became ‘Incorporated’ in May. The site was handed over to them during June, the previous three months were spent totally renovating the dilapidated main building as the main workshop, office and mess area by the members. They were also very fortunate in that the Landlord has also paid for all the materials!
Since opening, the group have bought two shipping containers, one for materials storage the other as part of the outdoor metal and hot work area. There is also an area of the yard given over to cutting and packing kindling wood for fund raising, it cold in New Zealand in winter and many still rely on wood fires.
The whole site is 34m x 21.5m plus drive, giving a floor area of 730m2. The main building measures 16.2m x 6.5m giving a floor area of 105.3 m2 and a small toilet block.
In fact, since July the Committee has raised; by applying for funding and Grants, the sum of NZ$35,000. This has been achieved without any funding being made available by the National or Regional governments. However, to assist all Sheds with fund raising and administration, the NZ MENZSHED association has set up ‘Regional Hubs’, similar to their Australian neighbours for support and advice.
The Shed is open three days a week, on Tuesday and Thursday between 09:00hrs and 15:00hrs, and Saturday between 09:00hrs and 13:00hrs. Membership currently stands at 75, with on average 35 active members, of which approximately 20 are (what the lads call) hyper-active!
There is an annual Membership fee of NZ$50. Tea and coffee are paid for out of the budgeted funds, but some members contribute as they feel able.
Due to the Shed being recently set up the group have yet to formalise Health & Safety and self-accreditation procedures, but work is in progress. The same applies to forecasting running costs which the group have estimated should come in at between NZ$12k to NZ$14k for this year.
Community projects are the mainstay of the Shed’s income, with projects ranging from Kindergartens, raised vegetable beds, and making folding tables for a local Scout Group. The Shed also sells sacks of kindling wood, which has proved to be a very good seller. A 3kg bag is sold for NZ$12.
Many personal projects are undertaken, including one by an elderly member who unfortunately has a terminal illness, has made his own coffin. Two have been made so far, with orders for more flooding in!
Other interesting projects such as garden gnomes (I ask; why not Hobbits?) can be seen on the website.
For more information: www.timarumenzshed.com
Martin's OZ and NZ Shed Stories 