Members have built a prototype of an old-fashioned billycart and are taking orders for Christmas.
Volunteer co-ordinator Alan Harrison said he hoped the project would inspire the members and the community.
“The idea came from COVID-19 and we thought here we are coming up to June; it gives us six months to do any orders,” he said.
“Most kids would love something like this for Christmas.”
The shed opened again last Thursday, with members welcomed back after the latest COVID-19 lockdown.
Rochester Community House runs the shed and house co-ordinator Amanda Logie said anyone was welcome.
“We have had quite a few women attend the shed over the years – we’re welcoming to everybody,” she said.
“You don’t have to do the woodwork if you want to participate in the men’s shed, you can just come down and have a coffee and have that social interaction.
“There’s no requirement of members, other than to become a member of the Rochester Community House and also the shed, that then covers you for insurance.
“There’s lots of opportunities to learn the woodwork side of it but there’s also no pressure either.
“People with disability who have a carer through the NDIS also have the opportunity to come down and participate at the shed.”
June 14 to 20 is Men’s Health Week and, with social participation positively linked to mental wellbeing and quality of life, there is not better time to join in at the shed.
“The shed is on the hospital grounds, so we have a great working relationship with REDHS,” Ms Logie said.
“There’s always opportunity for partnerships and in the past we have done some education around men’s health through REDHS with the shed and that works really well.
“They are all here for one another and have that genuine support for one another,” she said.
The billycarts require an $80 deposit and cost $165. To place an order, phone 0414 273 180.
Rochester Men’s Shed is at 1 Pascoe St, Rochester.
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