by Tanya Steele
The Badger Creek Men’s Shed is finishing up another successful term of woodworking with a group of students from Badger Creek Primary School, something that has inspired them immensely.
Amelia really enjoyed the experience and said her favourite project was the bee hotel.
“We made tissue boxes, little bee houses and an aeroplane, I liked sticking in the little bamboo bits and I wish I could get another term,” she said.
The group had great fun speculating about how the bees would buzz in and out of the hotel for a little rest when they needed it.
Amelia would like to maybe do some woodworking with her Grandpa down the track.
“He likes doing woodwork as well,” she said.
Jono has liked walking across from his primary school over to the Men’s Shed every week to participate in the class.
“I liked the aeroplane, because I reckon it was the hardest one to make,” he said.
Roy Bennet, who has been one of the Men’s Shed members volunteering with the students, said it was a good project because they had to think a little bit more.
“I’ve always been interested in youth and learning and the kids are a credit to Badger Creek School,” he said.
He has enjoyed experimenting with different projects for the primary school aged set and learning how to work with different kids.
The woodworking program has been running for 18 months and picked up again after Covid lockdowns.
Kara Chater, parent and volunteer, said the children who have attended woodworking have benefited greatly from the experience.
“Just to have the Men’s Shed open up to hold the space for the kids to transition back into the classroom and give them a sense of motivation to learn a skill has been incredibly powerful,” she said.
“The self esteem and motivation that is coming out of this woodworking is amazing and we’re incredibly lucky to have this in our community.”
The Men’s Shed try to create projects the kids will be interested in and always make sure they look ahead on the calendar.
“We’re already thinking about Easter and we like to think about Mother’s Day,” said Roy.
The final project for the last week of term project promises to be bunny related with a space for goodies of the chocolate variety.
