Armidale Men's Shed

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START COMING ALONG TO THE MEN’S SHED?

Some years ago, when we were in the previous location. One of the members introduced me to the shed. I wasn’t sure about it to start with because I didn’t know if it was me, but as soon as I walked in the door I knew it was right for me.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY SPENDING TIME DOING WHEN YOU’RE HERE?

I like to socialise, I’m past doing much physically. I’m probably known by some members as ‘the mouth’ as I always have an opinion on something. I enjoy the conversation and sharing of ideas - the shed has definitely educated me.

WHAT ONE THING WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE ARMIDALE MEN’S SHED?

It’s wonderful, something for everyone. There are people who paint, and do timber work, and I’m very pleased we have expanded the membership to women now - they have a lot to offer.

AND A FEW GET-TO-KNOW-YOU QUESTIONS…

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Wallsend Hospital, NSW in the middle of August

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE GROWING UP?

I never had any one ambition, I just wanted to grow up and get a good job that paid well and could eventually retire without relying on some government pension.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL?

Social Studies, as it was called back then, because history from all over the world would come into it.

WHERE DID YOUR WORKING LIFE LEAD YOU WHEN YOU WERE OLDER?

My early working life was with Lysaght in Newcastle as a Trimmer in the organic coating department. We would have these sheets of iron that first go through a massive acid bath, putting a whole load in to cover the top to stop rusting. Then it was removed and washed, then with jets squirting glue it went through a curtain of glue using rollers that went onto the sheets of iron. I worked on a set of shears for cutting those sheets of iron. It was a dangerous and flammable situation, working around a lot of dangerous chemicals, and before the OH&S standards that exist now, but we had a marvellous safety record. I then moved to this area and worked around the orchards at Kentucky.

WHAT SKILL WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO LEARN NOW?

I’m a bit frightened of circular saws. If I was younger I would like to learn how to repair chairs and other furniture but without the big machinery.

WHAT IS ONE THING THAT INSTANTLY MAKES YOUR DAY BETTER?

Coming to the shed

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY?

Going to visit my sister at Lithgow. A most interesting place, like the military museum, which is highly interesting.

ASIDE FROM NECESSITIES, WHAT ONE THING COULD YOU NOT GO A DAY WITHOUT?

My vehicle

DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING

Beetroot! (that’s an insider joke)

DO YOU HAVE A PET?

Yes, Tia, a blue cattle dog, who is everyone’s best friend unless she wants to commandeer someone else’s ball to play with.

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A NICKNAME?

I did when I was a kid. I had sisters only a little older than me. They couldn’t say Charles so called me ‘Tyzee’.

WHAT EXCUSE DO YOU USE WHEN YOU NEED ONE?

When I haven’t done anything around the house it’s “Oh, I sat in the chair, the fire was so nice and I just fell asleep.”

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? 

When the two pet dogs who visit the shed with their owners have an animated conversation with each other.

WHAT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE YOU?

This place, (the shed) because we have a large number of people with a wide range of interests.

ARE THERE ANY TV PROGRAMS YOU ARE PARTICULARLY ENJOYING AT THE MOMENT?

‘Real Facts’ programmes, like the news….and documentaries, I like those very much.

WHAT ARE YOU READING AT THE MOMENT?

History books. At the moment, I’m reading one on the ranks of the Australian Army, the different uniforms, which has a surprising history.
I am well-travelled, and have been all over the world...from my armchair!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SEASON?

Autumn – the weather is usually fairly stable and I like the beautiful colours of the leaves as they’re turning.

IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT, WHAT WOULD YOU DO ALL DAY?

I would travel - a lot! I’d go to Africa to pat a lion.

IF YOU WERE A SUPER-HERO, WHAT SUPER-POWER WOULD YOU HAVE?

 Strength! It would be handy. Anything becomes a possibility.

WHO WOULD YOU WANT TO PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE?

Jim Carey or Steve Martin

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON AN ISLAND, WHAT BOOK WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WASH UP ON SHORE?

 A huge history book or one of those world travelling books

A GENIE GRANTS YOU THE ABILITY TO HAVE INFINITE AMOUNTS OF ONE ITEM. WHAT IS IT?

Intelligence…and a higher paying job, then I could retire and instead of visiting Africa from the armchair I could actually be there.

IS THERE A QUOTE OR SAYING THAT HAS STAYED WITH YOU OVER TIME?

Do unto others before they do unto you 😉

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE GAME OR SPORT TO WATCH OR PLAY?

Rugby League

IF YOU HAD A WARNING LABEL, WHAT WOULD IT READ?

Don’t trust his memory!

WHAT WEIRD FOOD COMBINATIONS DO YOU REALLY ENJOY?

No weird combinations in particular but I really like chicken with lots of gravy but no veggies - healthy, eh!

WHAT FOOD DID YOU LOVE AS A CHILD THAT YOU DISLIKE NOW?

A lot of the sauces like chilli. BBQ, pretty much all sauces at the time.

IF YOU COULD EAT ONLY ONE MEAL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Coles or Woolies $11 BBQ Chicken

WHAT'S THE MOST UNUSUAL OR UNPLEASANT THING YOU'VE EVER EATEN?

Kale!

AND THE BIG QUESTION…

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CONTENTIOUS TOPICS OF CONVERSATION THAT CAN BRING DISCORD TO THE MOST CIVILIZED OF DISCUSSIONS, ONE OF WHICH IS THE TOPIC OF PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA – YES OR NO?

I quite like it!