A morning tea held at the Tuross Head Men’s Shed saw the close on $4500 in cash donations given to the crews of the Tinpot, Belowra and Nerrigundah RFS. The purpose of the event was to pass donations of $1468 each directly to the RFS Brigades. Catering for the event was provided by the Tuross Head Carer’s Group. Ray Wilkes, Secretary of the Tuross Head Men’s Shed said "News spread to the Tuross Head Men’s Shed that the towns of Nerrigundah, Tinpot and Belowra had been significantly destroyed by fire. All three towns have suffered significant losses to homes and property; but, have limited opportunities for raising funds to restore the town, and property destroyed by the fire. "The Tuross Head Men’s Shed Committee initially agreed to donate $500 each to the RFS Brigades at Nerrigundah, Tinpot and Belowra. And in a gesture of true mateship, members added a further $900 to a donation tin passed around the Shed. This total was to be shared equally between the three RFS Brigades. The donation from the Tuross Head Men’s Shed started as a modest donation of $500 to each of the brigades from the Men’s Shed, which soon increased when the donation tin was passed around the Shed..
Centre image: (L to R) Steve Ryder (Treasurer, THMS), Sharon Wilkes (Carer’s Group), Ron Threlfall (Captain) , Trevor Kincaid, Ewan Thomson (Captain) and Wayne Brockman (President, THMS) "However donations continued to came in, primarily from the wider Tuross Head community but also the generosity of others. "A further $1500 was donated from a donor in Sydney who had received donations from Canada, UK and Texas (USA), but had no way of knowing how to ensure the funds would be donated to those in most need. Sharon Wilkes, a member of the Tuross Head Carer’s Group became aware of the situation and connected to the donor via a long standing friendship with a friend in Sydney.
"The Men’s Shed noted there was a risk that the donations might be delayed in reaching the three brigades. To mitigate this risk the three brigades were invited to attend the Morning Tea where cheques were presented to each RFS Brigade (unfortunately members of Tinpot couldn't make it and the cheque will be delivered ASAP).
The Men's Shed president Wayne Brockman said "A total loss of machine tools, hand tools, fasteners and material has added to the desperate situation of the three towns. A further message was received that Nerrigundah needed rakes, shovels, hand saws, hammers, nails and screws and many other hardware items. Within days the Men’s Shed and the Community Garden had a trailer load of equipment ready for delivery to Nerrigundah for further distribution."
The Tuross Head Men’s Shed, formed in 2012, is located in Monash Avenue, Tuross Head, and is close to the Tuross Head Community Club.
It has a membership of around 60 shedders who undertake a variety of Community projects in association with other community charity groups; such as, SAGE - Sustainable Agriculture and Gardening Eurobodalla; St Johns Ambulance, Moruya Hospital and supports the Eurobodalla Agricultural Show held at the Moruya Showgrounds.
The Shed also supports local small businesses by spreading luncheon functions within the community.
The Tuross Head Men’s Shed executive comprises: President, Wayne (Brocky) Brockman; Vice President ,Wayne Gill; Treasurer, Steve Ryder; and, Secretary, Ray Wilkes.
