Members of the Kiama Men’s Shed have enjoyed their first gathering in their new home today with a celebratory sausage sizzle, as they begin the process of moving in.

After years of perseverance, they have obtained a five year peppercorn lease of the former railway workshops on Eddy Street from Transport NSW.

“This will be the Rolls Royce of Sheds,” says the local Shed’s organiser, Ian Yabsley of the workshop and adjacent offices and facilities.

“But when it boils down to it we are blokes looking after blokes – that will always be our main focus.”

Ian Yabsley outside the specialist rooms

The extra space will enable them to have a dedicated furniture restoration room, a tool store, a lathe room, a bandsaw room and a metal work room.

Amongst other things, there will be a shop to sell their works and spare tools needing a good home.

“The Uniting Church has been a wonderful support of men’s health by allowing us to use their space for all these years, but we were bursting at the seams,” says Ian.

“It is a great legacy of theirs that we are here at all.”

Securing the lease was a difficult process, throughout which Ian says Gareth Ward was very helpful in getting them to see the right people. Council, particularly its Strategic Planning Manager Ed Patterson, also played an important role in getting the positive outcome.

The complex is brimming with opportunities to improve men's health

Ian says the members are overwhelmed by the donated support they are getting from local businesses in making sure everything is shipshape for the move, including Paul Risbey for the electrical work, Kilmore Plant Services, Hallings Industrial Doors and Simpsons Signs.

The Shed plans to start a membership drive in February/March, once they are settled in.