Three residents are working together to inspire locals to show support for a proposed Menzshed.
Organiser John Dawson said they would be hosting a meeting next month to gauge how much interest there would be in the organisation setting up in the area.
Mr Dawson said he had thought about setting one up for "a long time".
But as a member of the Waimate Vintage Car Club and of a motor home association, along with "dabbling" with jetboating, he simply had not had the time.
He was approached by Victim Support volunteer Kathleen Wallace about starting a Menzshed.
He said she had "picked up a need for it" in the community.
With a lot of retired people arriving in Waimate, they could get under one another’s feet, Wallace said.
There were couples who were used to having their own space — some of the women might be used to having the house empty and ready to clean, she said.
"And now — with retirement — it could cause conflict."
Many of them were "starting their relationship all over again".
Wallace had been a part of the Women’s Institute since she was 16.
She was thankful for the knowledge that had been passed down from senior members.
She said while there were some exceptions, "with age comes wisdom".
"With the Menzshed we are trying to encourage men to come together."
There were no expectations for members to build anything.
At the Timaru Menzshed, one member would simply make sure the kettle was on, cups of tea and coffee were made and the floor was swept.
He was an integral part of the organisation, she felt.
"He’s definitely needed.
"We’ve seen Timaru Menzshed grow with the need of the community."
They were relying on the community to be accepting of the space, to help it flourish.
Mr Dawson said Peter Bootsma — the third originator — had got the Waimate Museum on board with an offer of a "beautiful shed".
Mr Dawson said the museum was keen to host the Menzshed there.
It would allow space for members to make a bookcase for themselves, or to get odd jobs done, he said.
While they would offer services to the public — such as fixing broken furniture — he said they would not take work off local businesses.
But it all came down to support from the community, some of which had been shown already, with Oak House paying for one of their advertisements and a member of the public paying for another out of her own pocket.
The meeting will be held on October 3 at 7.30pm.
A special guest from Christchurch would attend and the Timaru Menzshed secretary John Cook would also speak about the development of the Timaru shed and how it had evolved "keeping men’s health and wellbeing at its heart", Wallace said.
shelley.inon@alliedpress.co.nz
