Inverloch Men’s Shed teaches hands-on woodworking skills
The Inverloch Men’s Shed has launched an exciting eight-week furniture building course catering to all experience levels, whether participants are complete beginners or looking to dust off old skills.
WORK is now underway on eight elegant hall tables at the Inverloch Men’s Shed after the launch of an exciting eight-week furniture building course designed to welcome fresh faces and foster new community connections.
The innovative woodworking program is much more than a technical workshop, offering a supportive and welcoming environment where participants can share a few laughs and form meaningful social connections.
The hands-on initiative caters to all experience levels, whether participants are complete beginners or looking to dust off old skills.
Rather than relying on automated machinery, students master classic hand tools like hand planes, chisels, and tenon saws under expert guidance. Over the eight weeks, the eight participants will build a functional wooden hall table entirely from scratch.
"We had a meeting and decided we needed to attract new members," said Tim Allen, an Inverloch Men’s Shed member and the organiser of the course. "We’re not all retired, so it was suggested we run a course at night. This is the first time the course has been run."
They course participants will learn to craft mortise and tenon joints which is the time-honoured foundation of durable furniture construction, shape tapered legs for an elegant silhouette, and shave bevelled edges for a professional finish.
"We will be teaching basic woodworking skills and joinery," Allen explained.
"Participants will end up with a beautiful hall table."
Allen emphasised the social impact of the initiative. “It’s great for people new to the area to meet people and get into social groups particularly as you get older and meet new friends,” Allen said. Having spent 40 years as an electronics technician including 20 years in the army, Allen is enthusiastic about the course.
“I moved here eight months ago and it’s a whole new family.”
Course participant Lachie Wilkinson echoed this sentiment, calling the class "a great idea." Wilkinson noted that while he was previously aware the Men’s Shed was down here, he had not previously had a great involvement.
To support the men on their woodworking journey, all timber has been fully supplied.
Attendees have also received a complimentary starter kit to keep, featuring a tape measure, adjustable square, and a precise marking tool. More than a technical workshop, the program provides a supportive environment for local men to share a few laughs and connect with a great group of like-minded blokes.
