‘Jurassic Park’. The hand painted sign says. It hangs brontosaurus-high in the rafters. But the gentlemen here are the first port of call for anyone in Tumbarumba who needs something made, saved or restored.

While we were there, Cathy from the Tumbarumba Community Church came in with drawings of an almost-life-sized nativity scene to be built. “We'll do that – properly.” Ron said. “

The men of the Tumba Shed do more than work away with a steel milling machine, saws, drills, sanders, planers, hammers and brushes. They work just hard at giving each other a hard time. Past technical and project failures are fondly remembered by all. Of course, credit is given where it is due, but it just doesn’t seem to be as much fun.

If you don’t know, Tumbarumba is a town about 480km southwest of Sydney. It’s green, high country with views to Kosciusko National Park. The 2,000 or so locals call it by its nickname ‘Tumba’.

The Men’s Shed here, was established in 2008 with a grant from the Hyne Community Trust. “It’s really about getting a bunch of guys together. They never talk about their problems face to face. In rural areas especially. Here they can” said Secretary Ron Sommer. Ron’s also an historical society member involved the new Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail. Ron and the gents from the team have carefully restored three sets of large early 1920s railway crossing gates as features for the trail. Virtually only the ironwork has been retained as the original wood, believed to have been Oregon pine, rotted away.

The replacement gate timber is spotted gum. Ron believes they would have been originally made by apprentices at the NSW Government rail workshops in Sydney. The news is out that the Trail will officially open on 3 April 2020 with a major cycling celebration on Saturday 4 April.

While the gates are impressive, The Shed’s Academy Award for craft goes to Ian Harison. His WWII era left-hand drive Willy’s Jeep toy now occupies a prominent position in Hyne Timber’s Brisbane office.

It was supposed to go to Maryborough, but everyone in Brisbane like it so much, it was “detoured”. It was made out of timber donated by us.

 These handy gentlemen are confirmed Tumbarumbans who love their friendly prosperous town. “If they ever put up traffic lights, I’m leaving” joked Jeff. We’ll hold you to that Jeff.

 To find out more about Men’s Sheds call 1300 550 009 or click here.

 And, you can find more information on the Hyne Community Trust here.