When Denis Barton moved to Orange from Queensland he had hoped the tree-change might provide relief from the severe clinical depression he'd been battling since 2004.
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But without the daily routine of his work at Australia Post, the recent retiree found himself "at home watching my wife clean under my feet".
That was until he joined the group of 15-20 people who meet in the workshop at Orange's men shed to use the tools and socialise.
"It's not a workplace. It's a place where men can meet and have a chat with other men. Rather than sit at home staring at four walls or a TV," Mr Barton said.
Mr Barton said on a Wednesday the group swells to around 30 men who just drop in for a cup of tea.
VIDEO: Member for Orange Phil Donato awarded a $10,000 grant to Men's Shed Orange
"There's only so many fishing or golf days you can have and most of those you're on your own or with a small group. At the shed it is guys from multiple different backgrounds.
"We can solve the problems of the world out here."
Member for Orange, Phil Donato paid the Mitchell Highway facility a visit on Tuesday to announce the men's successful application for a $10,000 state government grant to go towards a quiet room used at "smoko" to "have a quiet conversation or play cards".
Mr Barton said the upgrades at the heritage-listed building, which was once a school of arts, are almost complete and in the long term they hope to put in some computers for the men to use too.
He said outside of their homes and away from their wives the men who regularly meet are more open to discussions on their health both mental and physical.
"We know we have support," he said.
And what has the Orange Men's Shed done for Mr Barton?
"It has helped me with my depression and it's kept me active with my physical health. I've learnt to feel useful again," he said.
"I'm still on medication but I'd be on a lot more or I'd be in Bloomfield if it weren't for the shed."
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