Corinella Woodies Group

By Celeste Brittain

When the Corinella and District Men’s Shed and Woodies Group first started, men gathered in the garages of their mates. 

“Then the idea was floated they get together and actually have a shed they go to all the time, associated with the Victorian and Australian Men’s Shed Association,” recalls Greg Roberts, president of the shed.

“We are now affiliated with both of those associations.” 

The shed and group have been operating since 2011, open one day a week, on a Tuesday, with 11 active members. 

Since moving to its location at Corinella Rd, the shed has been supporting students from the local primary school with wood working skills.

Currently four students from grade five attend weekly for a four-week rotation and make a pencil case, tool box, planter box and breakfast tray. 

Once those students have completed their tasks, the next set of students attend to make theirs. 

The shed has also helped grade four students and aims to help grade six students in the future. 

The shed has assisted with other community projects as well. In late 2022 it ran two workshops for interested women on a Thursday, to help women become familiar with power tools such as drills, sanders and saws. 

The women brought their own tools in and received advice and help, for small restoration and repair projects.

Greg says while the shed does help the community, most who attend work on their own projects. 

He said the shed was as much a social gathering and is “for anybody who wants to learn how to use a wood working tool.” 

The shed also has a welder. 

He says members spend time there also “sitting and drinking coffee and eating cake and talking.”

“Like any other group in the community, if you want to be involved in the community, this is the way to do it.

“And if you’re looking for companionship, this is the sort of place that is a good one to go to.

“Community centres are very good. They help offer lots of activities and this is a community centre for the guys that do a bit of woodworking. Pretty much all like-minded guys.”