Dubbo Community Men's Shed reopens but not all members return

President Kevin Sinclair says they are happy to be back but mourning the passing of members Peter Duffy, Richard Hambrook and Bob Stewart during the two-month lockdown at Dubbo.

"That makes a total of around 60 members since 2008 who have passed away," he said.

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The club's executive committee had to think long and hard about reopening the shed because of the continuing threat of COVID-19 to members.

"The biggest concern we have is that the average age of our members is about 73 and their ages range right up to 94," Mr Sinclair said.

"We do have to be extremely careful and look after the men."

The committee opted to restrict entry to fully-vaccinated members who must wear a mask inside and stay 1.5 metres apart.

"They get the message if they don't as I am the marshal," Mr Sinclair said.

The president reports of the resumption of card games, conversations over cups of tea and coffee, and projects requested by the public before the lockdown.

Currently, members are framing an Aboriginal artwork for PCYC Dubbo with materials donated by Bunnings.

"We meet customers at the gate if we have any discussions about projects we are doing," Mr Sinclair said.

The shed's popular garage sales have been put on hold but members are cleaning stock earmarked for them in the future.

They are also giving the shed a general clean-up because of an invasion of dust during the lockdown.

The president of the club with about 50 members is glad to see them together again.

"It's good to know they are occupied again and have somewhere to go and look forward to coming down," he said.

"The men's health and well-being are what is important."

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