Disused railway site finds new track

The team behind the restoration has spent much of the past eight months renovating the shed for its new role as a community hub.

Shed vice president Jim Fairbairn said the site was a fitting location.

"Like most small country towns, we revolved around a railway station," he said.

That railway site is now forming the centre of another community, with membership already strong and growing all the time for a group that is still not fully operational.

The group formed through an idea generated by the local Tintinara Development Group.

Mr Fairbairn said there had been many instances where it "got too much for people".

"In situations like this you can put thoughts into words around people who understand," he said.

Mr Fairbairn said the idea was bounced around for three years before it was tried out, and included a public meeting and a visit to other community men's sheds in the region.

Shed committee member John Beynon said a steering committee, formed in October 2013, saw 24 people take part in a bus trip to Meningie, Strathalbyn and Murray Bridge to look at other men's sheds for ideas.

The trip was branded a success.

The Tintinara Development Group asked the Coorong District Council to organise a public forum to gauge interest in forming a community men's shed in the district, which drew in unanimous support.

"There was a decided interest in having a men's shed," Mr Beynon said.

The council agreed to lease land from the Department of Planning Transport and Infrastructure (SA Railways) for use as a community men's shed along with the promise of a grant to get the project up and running.

To establish themselves, the group decided to work in with the local Coorong District Council, setting themselves up as a volunteer group under section 41 of the Local Government Act.

Mr Beynon said the Tintinara shed was not going to limit access to men. Of almost 50 financial members, about 10 are women.

* Full report in Stock Journal, October 23, 2014 issue.