And they have a new president. At their recent Annual General Meeting, blind wood-turner Dusty Field was elected as president. Ian Marsh is staying on as secretary.

Publicity officer John Cody said he first met Mr Field some years ago when Dusty came to the shed to learn wood turning.

“It is amazing, but he wanted to learn wood turning and despite my initial reservations, together we have created some great pieces,” Mr Cody said.

“We went along to a Working with Wood seminar in Canberra and Dusty got up in front of the crowd and made a pen. He has since made many pens out of native timbers and so have I.”

He said Dusty is also a well-known crooner of Country and Western tunes.

Mr Cody said the Goulburn Men’s Shed was a very busy place.

“We are a hard-working community group with 43 members, but we are always looking for some more,” he said

“Men can come to the first few meetings for free and if they want to join it costs $48 a year. There is no age limit - I am 90.

“We have a carpenter's shop and plumber’s shop where men can work on their own projects. We also have a fine vegetable garden of 10 raised beds. We help ourselves to the vegetables and any leftovers go up to the Crescent School.

“We have own own apiary, two beautifully restored model railways, a gym and two fully equipped kitchens. Every Friday we have a lunch after the meeting, which starts at 10.30am.”

He said the Men’s Shed also now has four members who have disabilities.

“They are helping to fix bikes among other things and we have also just bought a new ute,” he said.

“We do a lot of catering at markets and we have a portable trailer for Bunnings barbecues, etc. We made $1400 in two days from a barbecue at the railway when the steam trains were here.” 

The Goulburn Men’s Shed is located in Blackshaw Rd. It is now open everyday, including weekends.