Kyneton Men’s Shed has relaunched women’s woodwork classes and they’re already proving popular through bookings.
The classes are held every Tuesday over seven weeks and teach the participants the basics of woodwork. Participants each finish the course with a completed tool or garden equipment carrier that utilises all the elementary hand tools and battery-operated power tools.
At the completion of the course, students are invited to attend the shed every Tuesday to undertake their own projects.
Long-time shed member and course instructor Bob Grubb said he had been astounded at how popular the courses were.
“We began holding them before the pandemic struck and completed four courses, but COVID-19 forced a total shutdown,” he said.
“But with very little publicity, we have almost filled three of the four courses we will operate this year.”
Maggie Hopkins, who completed the first course almost two years ago, has been appointed the women’s coordinator.
She has played a key role in working with Bob and the three other instructors – James Keddie, Robin Burgess and Ian Collie – to fill the courses and teach the women.
“I found the course highly rewarding and extremely helpful,” Maggie said.
“In addition to the woodwork, we discuss general home maintenance such as leaky taps, blown lamps and the importance of smoke detectors – all those handy things that women should know.
“I urge women wanting to do one of these extremely useful courses to contact me as quickly as possible. We only take on six students at a time, and we only do four courses a year. If the courses remain as popular as they are, it will not be long before we are booking in women for next year.”
Maggie Hopkins can be contacted on 0437 584 979 or email petemag@iinet.net.au
