Mandurah’s Men’s Shed patron and local MP David Templeman thanked the members of the group at a morning tea at their premises at John Tonkin College in Tindale Street.
Mr Templeman said the 40 members of the group had this year made over 3000 wooden toys which had been distributed to Children in Care, local needy families, playgroups, community groups and local festivals and events.
“These magnificent members of our community love what they do, they enjoy the friendship and comradery that comes from coming together each week to make these toys and our community benefits hugely from their generosity,” he said.
Mr Templeman said that there were now 15 Men’s Sheds in the Peel Region and they were an important community network for those involved, plus they were a great outlet for blokes to gather with other blokes.
“I am so proud of this group, that was started a number of years ago by Kim Butcher and a few mates who would gather regularly in his back shed and has grown into what it is today,” he said.
Mr Templeman said that the Men’s Shed members were now firm fixtures at many community events and festivals, particularly at the annual City of Mandurah Children’s Festival, an event that sees them inundated with kids and their families and where they, this year, handed out 2000 wooden toys to visitors to their stall.