The Mooroolbark Men’s Shed is busy prepping and preparing for its first major market day on Saturday 12 July.
Opening up the Shed to the community from 8am to 3pm, a range of handmade and beautifully crafted items will be sold alongside both new and used machinery.
A selection of wooden chopping boards and serving platters, different dog breed-inspired planters, pens, coasters, wooden trucks and cars, and trollies will all be available to purchase.
Having collected a number of tools, saws and screws, all in useable condition but just in need of new owners, these will all be up for sale as well, with a sausage sizzle to add to the occasion.
President Peter Gray said the idea of the market day is to fundraise for the Shed but also to clear out some stock.
“I’ve suggested we do a garage-type of sale to try and move it on a little bit more and the money we make from here will go into buying glue and blades and sandpaper and the odd tools just to replenish and update what we’ve got,” he said.
“If we can help people by buying these at a real, reasonable price, if they can use them, I’ll be happy if I can move them on.”
This is the first time the Men’s Shed will be hosting a sale of this kind, having previously held a permanent spot outside Mooroolbark Coles.
But with this tenure ending in August, Mr Gray said the Shed is looking for new ways to raise funds now that the regular bi-monthly barbecue and stall will come to an end.
“They’ve given us only two a year, instead of getting two a month. So that’s going to cut our costs down tremendously,” he said.
“So next year, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’ll have to try and concentrate on markets. There are only certain things you can do, because in any club, footy club, or whatever it is, it’s the same people week in and week out that help you.
“We might have to have our monthly market here and do a regular sausage sizzle outside, then Denis and the boys can sell all the goods that we make.”
Operating primarily on funds from donors, fundraising and the odd grant, Mr Gray said, like all things, the Shed’s expenses have increased, with yearly costs now adding up to around $17,000.
“With wood donations and tool donations, they come in very, very handy but apart from that, we don’t get any other support. We’re mainly on our own,” he said.
Mr Gray and the committee are hopeful the market day will be a success to ensure the equipment, supplies and facilities are at a standard suitable for the members.
While the Shed is at full capacity for membership, with 45 members and three people on the waiting list, Mr Gray said they still encourage people to inquire about joining.
No previous carpentry or woodworking experience is necessary, with Mr Gray saying he was a motor mechanic before joining over eight years ago.
“We’ve all learned through Gerry and after you’ve been here a little while, you pick up how to use your tools, and everyone’s got different ideas. We all learn from each other. All feed off each other.”
If people have a project they need help completing, the members love a challenge or taking on custom work.
The market day will also act like an open day, for people to see what the Mooroolbark Men’s Shed is all about.
Head down to the Mooroolbark Men’s Shed, located on the corner of Ellen Road and Croydondale Drive.
The Shed is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8am to 2pm every week. To find out more, visit mooroolbarkmensshed.org
