Katikati MenzShed spreads community cheer
Applications close this week for the Western Bay of Plenty District Council's Community Matching Fund.
There's $100,000 to be shared among environmental groups and community groups - such as the Katikati MenzShed which received $2000 last year and has put it to great use providing street furniture for their community.
"It's all about giving back as much as you receive'' says Katikati MenzShed manager Ron Boggiss. "And we have a lot of fun and get satisfaction doing it.''
Many blokes would agree that there's no greater place to be than in your very own `man shed'. But when retirement hits and downsizing means a shift to town, this often means fewer `toys' and no shed - many blokes are stuck at home wondering what to do.
That's where the fantastic MenzShed comes into their life.
Katikati's MenzShed is one of 100 in New Zealand - a phenomenon borrowed from Australia where there are 1000 MenzSheds and counting.
Set up by Katikati Pakeke Lions in 2012, Katikati MenzShed is managed by Ron Boggiss and has a loyal membership of 35. The average age is between 75 and 90 years - but ranges from 33 to 93 years, with about 12 blokes attending most days. It costs just $10 to join and $2 in the kitty for each visit.
Membership has increased in the past 12 months as word of mouth spreads about the huge shed in Wharawhara Road which has everything any chap could wish for and more.
Filled with a huge range of machinery, tools and projects in the making, plenty of storage space plus a kitchenette - the shed is humming two days a week, rain or shine.
Ron says they are blessed to have almost every piece of machinery they need - although a belt sander is still on his wish list.
For men who don't have hands on skills', the MenzShed is a great place to enjoy social contact, a chat or a cuppa with others - and there's always room for a helping hand.
While the shed is a place where members can get to work on their own projects, they are a very community-minded bunch, helping out Katikati Kindergarten, RSA, Museum, Katch Katikati and the wider community.
Picnic tables and benches in Omokoroa's new skate board park; colourful seats in Katikati's Cherry Court; information signs for Western Bay Museum and the Wharawhara Road kauri history group; trap boxes for Lund Rd Forest and Aongatete Forest Park - all have the MenzShed touch.
Newcomers are more than welcome - go along and meet the blokes at the Katikati MenzShed, open Monday and Thursday, 9am until noon at 227 Wharawhara Road, Katikati. Or check out their website.
