Seat honours federation

‘‘The seat commemorates 95 years of operation for the Women's Institute.’’

A bench seat has been built for the Waikato Women’s Institute thanks to tinkerers at Men’s Shed.

On behalf of the Hamilton Community Men’s Shed earlier in the year, Dr Neil Bruce responded to a request from Beatrice Jones to construct a wooden seat.

The seat commemorates 95 years of operation for the Women’s Institute organisation and has been installed in the garden of Woodlands Historic Homestead in Gordonton overlooking a small lake.

This is a fitting location, said member Linda Kemp, as Gordonton Women’s Institute was the beginning for the Waikato federation in 1931.

The Men’s Shed is located in Ward Park Arts Centre on Seddon Rd.

The group of hobbyists have responded to many community requests that have involved members constructing and repairing equipment and facilities locally and for other charities.

Building doll houses, repairing toys, making angel boxes and even creating wooden games are just some of the projects you’d be able to find at the Shed.

Neil Bruce said they are currently working on a project with a group of Fraser High School students where youth-senior interaction is being explored via a six week project.

They have also recently supported the Systema group by making ‘‘whisper instruments’’, like wooden violins and cellos.