With new president Don Abraham at the helm, Lismore Men and Community Shed is excited at the possibility of a collaboration with Lismore City Council that could see the Shed’s members put their skills in fixing broken things to great use.

Don, who took over from Bob Grieg as president at the Shed’s recent Annual General Meeting, said the group had been building a relationship with Council that could see the Shed moving to Lismore Resource and Recovery Centre.

The Wombles upcycle

Like the Wombles on the UK children’s TV show (who remembers the Wombles?), Don said the hopeful plan was to set up shop up at the local tip, then fix and upcycle the community’s thrown away objects and broken gadgets.

“There’s a lot of stuff that goes to the Revolve shop and if we can fix it up and it goes to the shop to be re-sold, it can earn money for us, as well as the shop,” he said.

“If there was a dining table, we could clean it up rather than have it go into land fill. The Shed already uses recycled materials a lot and we are mindful of stuff going to the tip and prefer to repurpose it.

“We’ve already submitted a proposal and are very excited to get this underway – it’s important for the whole community.

Why move to the tip?

“The shed we have now is unworkable. It’s in South Lismore and it’s too small to set up our equipment and make safe for us to work.

“It’s been a stop gap measure since we moved out of the Lismore Showgrounds, but a new space would be great.”

New committee

The Lismore Men and Community Shed now has a whole new committee, with Don Abraham as president, Bob Greg as vice president, Glen Lees as treasurer, Annette Hallett secretary, Ian Bottrell as shed coordinator, Ernie pigato as publicity officer and Dwayne Russell as membership officer.

Don said he was happy to take over the president position from Bob, who is stepping down because of his health.

Don said his background of 30 years in administration and having owned his own transport business makes him ideal for the job.

“I’ve also been a member of the Shed for years,” he said. “The Men and Community Shed is important to our community for both men and women. We welcome women and encourage them to learn new things – and it’s important that women step forward and build their capacities.”

Outgoing president Bob Grieg.

Outgoing president Bob Grieg

Bob Grieg said he was stepping down because he has had several strokes since he took the reins as acting president in 2017 and is not 100%.

“I have the shakes and can’t text,” Bob said. “I’ve stepped down because I don’t need the stress of the position, but I’ll still be with the shed and have accepted the vice president position.

“I’ve done my best over three years, but Don is great - his energy kept the shed together though Covid – and he is still is keeping everyone safe.”