Early Christmas cheer
The Men’s Shed received an $800 grant through the Australian Men’s Shed Association via Uncle Toby’s to contribute with the development of wooden trees and stars.
The decorations that consist of 50 trees and 50 stars are on track to be completed by the end of this month, and will then be handed over to the Christmas Decorations Committee.
“Originally we got a request from the Christmas Decorations Committee asking whether we could manufacture some trees and stars for them,” Rutherglen Men’s Shed President Ern Walder told The Free Press.
“Through the Australian Men’s Shed Association and with the generous help of Uncle Toby’s we were able to get a grant for the material, paint and labor to make them.
“A big thank you to Uncle Toby’s for their contribution towards financing everything, and also to everyone involved in the Men’s Shed who are assembling all the parts and painting them.”
The main purpose is to bring the Christmas spirit back into Rutherglen, showing locals and visitors the pride the town takes in bringing community groups together.
The Christmas Decorations Committee is behind the gathering of community groups to express their individual uniqueness and creativity for the benefit of the town.
Mr Walder is proud to be a part of the project, saying the Men’s Shed “loves to help out when they can”.
“It was an $800 grant but when you start putting time in and collect all the timber and other materials, it doesn’t go very far,” he said.
“We’re always happy to help out but without the grant we would have been up against it because we don’t have that sort of money.
“We’re really grateful for the Australian Men’s Shed Association and Uncle Toby’s kind gesture.”
Members of the Rutherglen Men’s Shed got their hands busy on Thursday, July 5 when they began manufacturing Christmas decorations.