The idea of starting a group where men could gather a few times a week and work on projects, saw 32 people attend a meeting, in November 2006.

A $500 loan from a local member, a small shed out the back of Griffith Skills and Training with a few woodworking tools and support from Mark Taylor saw the Griffith Shed for Men off and running.

Griffith Shed for Men started with a handful of members but as the members kept coming they began tripping over one another and soon outgrew their little shed.

President Greg McCarten said a great deal of generosity and support has seen the shed grow from its humble beginnings to the shed’s current home at the former Kalinda School complete with two fully-stocked workshops.

“It’s been an incredible journey from where we started in a little shed but it is through the generosity of others that got us to where we are now,” he said.

Mr McCarten said it has been a great experience seeing the shed make a difference to the lives of some many people and no job was too big or small.

“The difficult we do straight away and the impossible just takes a bit longer,” he said. 

“It is great to see how the shed makes a difference to the men’s lives.

“They are all happy chappies here.

“I think the wives like the men coming here too because not one wife in all my years as president has complained about their husbands being out here too much,” Mr McCarten said.

Eddie Allen who has been involved with the shed since its infancy said it has been exciting to see it grow with members always having a good time.

“It gives us the chance to get up and go somewhere every few days, where there is always people to spend time with,” Mr  Allen said.

“It has made a big difference to lots of people...they can come here and be part of something and always have something to do.

“It means there is always a place to go to,”