The cheque was presented at Saturday’s Lions changeover dinner and Menshed chairman and Rotarian John Burke thanked Lions president Aub Dinsdale, saying the money would go a long way towards getting the Menshed on its feet. The Rotary club will finance the set-up costs and the two organisations have agreed to work together on the important project.

It is envisaged the clubs will also work together to reinstate the annual seniors Christmas dinner, which usually attracts more than 100 people.

Mr Burke outlined the purpose of Menshed, which started 27 years ago in Albury and is a uniquely Australian concept.

There are now more than 200 Mensheds in Australia.

“The Menshed will help fellows get together to talk, to learn how to stay healthy and to help avoid isolation,” Mr Burke said.

“It is somewhere men can go for a chat apart from a pub or club and members may, for example, be lonely, retired, widowed, unemployed or disabled.”

Men of all ages and from all walks of life will be able to share “old trades” and skills such as lathe or leatherwork, photography or gardening or just stop by the ‘shed’ for a cup of coffee. The Menshed will be situated in the former RSL hall in Thornton Avenue, which has been leased from the shire council for a nominal fee.

The 27th Lions annual changeover of the board of directors saw Mr Dinsdale re-elected as president, with John Williams secretary, George Riley treasurer and Tony Van Lubeck zone chairman.

Certificates of appreciation were presented to Woolys Butchery, Riverside Store, 117 Bakery, Chesterfield Australia and Clarkes Shop.

In his presidential address Mr Dinsdale thanked all Lions club members for their efforts over the past 12 months and outlined community activities totalling 8626 volunteer hours.

“Many thanks to Warren Shire Council for maintaining our park, the bowling and services club as the venues for dinner meetings, and the four new members that have joined Lions,” Mr Dinsdale said.

“Throughout the year we have donated our time and efforts to District 201N4, attended the district convention and thank you also to Tony Van Lubeck for representing our club as zone chairperson.”

Mr Dinsdale also expressed appreciation to local business houses for their support in “good and bad times”, as well as raffle ticket buyers and all helpers.

Activities and donations for 2007-08 included purchase of dialysis chairs at $2500, trees planted on the Collie Road, purchase of a water tank as well as a $500 scholarship for Warren Central school, a Youth of the Year competition, installation of a 50 years celebration plaque at Lions Park and 30 cars and bikes donated to Barnardos (from district Lions).

Lions also assisted with the Aboriginal health check day, ran a trivia night fundraiser, Christmas raffles and party at Lions Park, supported Australia’s Biggest Cuppa for cancer at Patricia Plunkett’s home and Biggest Barbecue fundraiser for cancer research. One hundred dollars was donated to Kerry Stanley’s Ride for Life, $75 to ALDAF, $100 for breast cancer research, $50 to Father Chris Riley’s Youth off the Streets, $200 to Angel Flight, $200 to First Sight and $50 to Sydney cancer research.

“A job well done to everyone.”