48 —Deniliquin’s 175th Anniversary – Souvenir Publication, Friday, December 15, 2017
Sub-Branch nears its centenary
Venue for men to relax S
ince the Deniliquin Menshed was set up in August 2008 in the shed behind Agspares on the Barham Road it has continued to supply a venue for older males to relax and pursue hobbies in woodwork, metalwork and computers. The aim of the shed is to promote mental and physical health. The blokes meet to take on personal projects and tasks for the community. About 1050 jobs have been done for the community since opening. The last two big projects were 10 red gum seats for the Caldwell wetlands, and 80 bird nest boxes, of various sizes and design for eight different species of birds, for the West Berriquin Irrigators Inc. Over the years the members have refurbished two buggies for the Conargo Shire which are on display in Conargo, manufactured three Christmas trees for the roundabouts in Deniliquin, and restored the WW1 Krupp cannon that lay idle in the park. The shed organised and hosted a men’s health forum in 2011 which was attended by 96 men from across the region from Balranald to Albury, and assisted in two health nights held by Intereach. A variety of grants, including a substantial grant from the formation of the Edward River Council have helped in the shed equipment expansion, and it now has more
n the evening of October 17, 1917, six local men met at the old Deniliquin School of Arts. The men had all served overseas in the Great War that was still engulfing a large part of the world, and the purpose of the meeting was to form a branch of the newly formed Returned Soldiers and Sailors Imperial League of Australia. The chairman was Captain Hayes, the area officer of Echuca, and the local men were G Harrison, J Mudie, F Hindley, H Priest, M McCannon and the Rev E Rogers. The first meeting of the newly formed branch was held on November 29, 1917 and discussion appeared to be mainly about support for the upcoming Reinforcements Referendum. The Deniliquin Sub-Branch received its Charter of Membership of the RS&SILA dated June 23, 1918, so next year is its centenary. Today the Deniliquin Sub-Branch has 100 ex-service members and 20 ancillary members. Its aims remain the same as they were 100 years ago - to maintain the mateship created by common military service and to work for interests of both serving and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force and their dependents. For many years the RSL Club was the social club of the Sub-Branch but today the two are separate entities. However the Sub-Branch office is still located in the Club and the two work closely together.
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■ Deniliquin Menshed members Ian Roberts, Jim Hall and Geoff Ford helped with Intereach’s Engaging Dads program in 2016. excellent wood and metal working equipment, new dust extraction arrangements and one extra modern computer. The Bendigo Community Bank provided funds to set up a demountable as an office and computer room. Other organisations, businesses and clubs have been supportive. The original sponsor was Vinnies Reconnect, and the former Conargo Shire was a great supporter over the years. The members believe the most important room is the smoko room with good conversation and expressing personal opinions on most subjects. Recently both the Lions and Rotary clubs have held social nights at the shed and been given a tour of the shed facilities including some demonstrations of the equipment. The shed has supported various schools and their projects in the shed, with hands on projects. A father son/daughter night was held as arranged by Intereach, which was a great success.
The landlord, Roger Reeves of Agspares, has been very supportive and generous in providing a new hot water unit and airconditioner in the kitchen area. The Deniliquin Menshed is now a member of the Australian Mens Shed Association (AMSA) with around 950 other sheds, of varying sizes and all doing many different projects. The Deniliquin Menshed opens each Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am to 4pm. Over the years the members have visited 10 other sheds for social interaction and training purposes. Many other sheds have visited Deniliquin and been entertained, the most recent being 16 members from Berwick and two from Torquay, in Victoria. Visitors and prospective members are most welcome; smoko is at 10am and 3pm. Don’t doubt your ability to help as someone will pass on skills and help you. Contact the shed on 0427 811 707 or 0427 564 251.
ID APPLIANCE SERVICE ID Appliance Service has been operating in Deniliquin since April 1999. Ian Watt has grown the business from just performing appliance repairs, to now being your local authorised Daikin dealer and repairing all makes and models of domestic and commercial appliances, as well as installation and maintenance of air conditioning and heating. Servicing Deniliquin and surrounding areas.
PO Box 51, Deniliquin NSW 2710 Email: idapplianceservice@bigpond.com www.idapplianceservice.com.au ABN 12 480 784 921
Ian Watt 0417 629 488
NSW Licence No. 63325C Vic Licence No. 15961 Vic Plumbing Licence No. 45120 Refrig Auth No AU05227