The new Hill Top Men's Shed will have an important piece of machinery - a 20-inch planer thicknesser - thanks to a $5000 donation from the IMB Bank Community Foundation.
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"We are extremely grateful for the support," Men's Shed chair / public officer Peter Costigan said.
"These funds will go a long way in providing more opportunities for men to connect with others for support through tough times. The new woodwork equipment will help us upskill members and get involved in projects that benefit the whole community."
The Hill Top Men's Shed provides a safe place where local blokes can work on projects, make friends, and support each other through hard times - like the bushfires and the pandemic. Set up almost four years ago, its 12 members have worked out of one of their own workshops.
Early next year, however, they will move into their own shed behind the Hill Top church - and the planer thicknesser will take pride of place. It can resize secondhand or donated timber, saving members the cost of buying timber of the exact size needed.
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"The IMB Bank Community Foundation has made us take a great stride forward in getting some decent machinery for our shed," Mr Costigan said. "At the moment, we're using second hand machinery and borrowed machinery, and this will gives a great start in our new shed."
The Men's Shed has made several projects for the community: shelving and storage space for Thirlmere Preschool (an opportunity that came out of their sponsor Bunnings Warehouse); a "school bus" playground equipment, made out of pallets, for the Hill Top preSchool; nesting boxes for WIRES; and dog bowls for an animal rescue group.
The Men's Shed also provides companionship for its members; for some, Mr Costigan said, the Wednesday meetings are one of their big weekly outings.
"There are people who through various reasons are on their own, or need the company of other men," Mr Costigan said. "We build one another up."
The Hill Top Men's Shed will start promoting membership once they move into their new home. For more information, contact Peter Costigan on 0428 468 120.
Now in its 21st year, IMB Bank Community Foundation has supported nearly 800 community groups and projects across NSW and ACT, and donated more than $10 million since 1999, including almost $450,000 to community groups in the Southern Highlands. IMB Bank is one of the longest-standing financial organisations in NSW, and was ranked one of the World's Best Banks by Forbes magazine.
For more information about IMB Bank Community Foundation, visit www.imb.com.au/community.
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