by David Trickett, Narooma Men's Shed President They say that “time flies when you are having fun” and it seems to be true more this year at the Narooma Shed. Over the last three months, I have seen a considerable lift in our involvement in the community, which has resulted in bringing our family at the Shed closer together and rising to meet each new challenge as they arise. Our membership continues to grow, and the new members have not only settled in, but each new member has added to the diverse social fabric, we now call the Community Shed.
If I reflect for a moment on the year, I can clearly see the post COVID period when the men started to find their confidence in coming back to the shed and catching up with their mates.
In that period the Community Shed became more involved in community projects and activities such as the Tilba festival, the Narooma Oyster festival, attending each month the Narooma Rotary and Dalmeny Lions markets. Finally, it was pleasing to get reconnected with projects at the RSL, the Surf Club and Narooma High and Primary schools.
Our membership swelled in September after our Open Day, when we opened our membership to women to come and enjoy the facilities at the shed. These days we call Community days.
The support from the male members to settle in this Community Day concept was simply remarkable with direct positive benefit to the Community and the membership base. This togetherness was very evident in the building of a team across the total membership which has resulted in the Narooma Christmas Whales project being very successful this year.
Importantly to me was the level of fun we all had in getting so many whales made this year to meet the community demand, but also in showing in a tangible way, what we can do at the Shed.
So as Christmas approaches, on behalf of myself and the Committee, I wish that the next few weeks will see your family reconnect after the previous couple of years of COVID and let us not forget the Bushfires before that. May your Christmas stocking be full of cheer and may you enjoy this special time with family and friends.
