Tallygaroopna Men’s Shed won a national award for innovation for constructing a fully operational public disabled toilet for the Riding for the Disabled Association group on the outskirts of Shepparton.
Tallygaroopna Men’s Shed members have been involved in many community projects in the past six years and were recognised at the National Men’s Shed Gathering.
“(We) were very surprised because we didn’t think we would win,” Tallygaroopna Men’s Shed secretary Richard Lilley said.
“And (the men) are very humble about it because they’re only doing what they think we should do as men’s shed, and that’s help other people in the community.”
RDA has been running its riding program for 40 years on leased land, but could never build a disabled toilet facility.
“Our men’s shed has three members who are volunteers with RDA — Brian Thompson, Frank Steen and Russell McDonald — they tend the horses daily and help on Tuesdays and with working bees,” Mr Lilley said.
“It was decided that if RDA could raise $17,000 for the materials we would build the toilet block for no charge.”
The RDA committee was successful in raising funds from the Freemasons Foundation Victoria, and the completed project has been valued at $30,000.
The project started in May 2020 and involved all men’s shed members and the RDA committee in the design.
The toilet block has two standard toilets, a disabled toilet, a wash basin foyer and a store room.
“The work was completed at the Men’s Shed site then transported to the RDA site where it was connected to the services by our members,” Mr Lilley said.
“Frank Steen was the driving force behind the building of the toilet block and all the men’s shed members take pride in the quality of work we were able present to the RDA members.”
“The official opening was performed by a Masonic Grand Master and the ribbon was cut by a RDA member in a wheelchair.
“We feel as men’s shed members that we have made a worthwhile contribution to the RDA Shepparton program.”
At the national gathering, Ruth McGowan, of the Tongala Men’s Shed, was inducted into the Australian Men’s Shed Association Hall of Fame in acknowledgement of her founding role and ongoing support of men’s sheds.
Ms McGowan is a long-time and highly respected “shedder” in the Tongala Men’s Shed, and widow of the late and great Dick McGowan.
Mr McGowan’s men’s shed opened its doors in July 1998 and Ms McGowan was instrumental in developing the very first constitution for what would become a global phenomenon.
Tongala’s Men’s Shed was among the first in Australia almost 30 years ago and is identified in Professor Barry Golding's book Men’s Shed Movement: The Company of Men as the oldest men’s shed opened by that name in a community setting anywhere in the world.