To get the project under way, more than 40 cubic metres of concrete was donated by Cleary Bros.

Gerringong Men’s Shed vice-president Ken Harris said a number of people helped them to achieve their first milestone.

“The shed has been in the planning and preparation stage for the past 18 months and laying the slab is the first major construction hurdle,” he said.

“Cleary Bros have been instrumental and without their contribution this milestone would not have been achieved at this early stage.”

Mr Harris said the Gerringong Men’s Shed has received support from a number of local benefactors including Kiama Municipal Council, Fulton Hogan, Gerringong Lions as well as MP Gareth Ward.

“The council donated the land to us in Jubilee Oval and they have helped us out as much as they can,” he said.

“We have about 25 members and once we can get up and running we hope to get around 50.”

The Gerringong Men’s Shed is a community organisation, aiming to help others. Mr Harris said it offers elderly men a place to meet others.

“We are giving elderly men something to do and keep them occupied,” he said.

“They can come along for a bit of a chat and a cup of tea.”

In addition to meeting others, members of the Gerringong Men’s Shed also help members of the community by completing projects such as the installation of decking. 

“It really is a community organisation,” he said.

“We can do various projects for people within the shed and since we have been sharing the local netball building, we have done a couple of projects for the surf club, bowling club and tennis club.”

Within Australia, men's sheds are now established as part of the health infrastructure that supports programs to improve men's health and well-being.

The organisations are community-based and provide a safe and friendly environment where men are able to work on meaningful projects at their own pace. 

If you are interested in finding out more about the Gerringong Men’s Shed, please contact president Ian Woodlands on 4234 0969.