IT’S taken three years, but Orange Women’s Shed finally has its shed.
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The group officially opened its doors on Monday to celebrate the completion of its facility and the home maintenance skills its 90 members have already learned.
At first, the group met at Orange Regional Gallery’s West Room and Meals on Wheels’ carport before Wangarang Industries provided a site, which started as a three-walled garage without a floor.
Newcastle Permanent donated $50,000 to add a fourth wall, kitchen and toilet, with some money left over for tools.
The shed has also been able to open a tool library so women could complete repairs at home without having to buy tools.
Bernadette Felstead has been a member for the past two years and said she used to be terrified of a power drill.
“I would stand back and watch other people,” she said.
“Now it’s a piece of cake.”
Fellow members Cheryl Howarth and Jan Boarby have made rehabilitation boxes to donate to Orange Health Service, including door handles, zippers, plugs in sockets and water bottle lids to test different ranges of movement.
“It’s to help people who have less mobility in their hands,” Ms Howarth said.
Orange City Council choices at home support workers Fiona Cooper and Paula Beatty started the women’s shed and were thrilled to see the turnout of members and supporters.
“We didn’t think [the number of members] would happen this quickly, but it shows there is a huge need,” Ms Beatty said.
Ms Cooper said the core membership of 30 was composed of widows, carers, single mothers and independent women.
She said women in aged care outnumbered men eight to one.
“The shed gives them the confidence to complete basic repairs,” she said.
Wangarang Industries chairman Gary Norton said he was pleased the shed had found a use.
“It’s good to see the ladies have somewhere to go and explore that creative side in a different way,” he said.
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation chairman Phil Neat said the project’s uniqueness had made it an ideal candidate for funding.
“We’ve funded a lot of men’s sheds, but this was the first we received an application for a women’s shed,” he said.
Ms Beatty said the women’s shed would continue to source tradespeople to run workshops and the next challenge would involve incorporating the organisation.
The shed opens on Wednesdays between 10am and 1pm.
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